PORT HEDLAND REGIONAL FAUNA ASSESSMENT

BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

PORT HEDLAND REGIONAL FAUNA ASSESSMENT

Prepared for

BHP Billiton Iron Ore

Prepared by

ENV Australia Pty Ltd Level 1, 503 Murray Street PERTH WA 6000 Phone: (08) 9214 6100 Fax: (08) 9226 4109

Email: H [email protected]

Job Number: J100490

Report Number: 11/139

Prepared by: John Trainer

Status: Final QA Review: Damian Buller Technical Review: Colin Trainor Content Review: Denise True Date: 22 November 2011

J100490‐001‐Fauna‐JT‐Final NEW BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... III

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

1.1 THE PROJECT ...... 1

1.1.1 Objectives ...... 1

1.1.2 Location ...... 1

1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES ...... 1

1.2.1 Climate ...... 1

1.2.2 Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia ...... 2

1.2.3 Land Systems ...... 3

1.2.4 Geology ...... 4

1.2.5 Soils ...... 5

1.2.6 Vegetation Mapping ...... 5

1.3 PREVIOUS BIOLOGICAL STUDIES ...... 6

2 METHODS ...... 8

2.1 BACKGROUND TO THE PROTECTION OF FAUNA ...... 8

2.2 SURVEY METHODS ...... 10

2.2.1 Database and Literature Review ...... 10

2.2.2 Field Survey ...... 11

2.2.3 Habitat Assessment ...... 11

2.2.4 Targeted Surveys ...... 11

2.3 TAXONOMIC IDENTIFICATION ...... 12

3 RESULTS ...... 12

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3.1 LITERATURE REVIEW ...... 12

3.1.1 Summary of Survey Methods and Major Findings ...... 13

3.1.2 Summary of Results ...... 17

3.2 LIMITATIONS INFLUENCING THE 2011 SURVEY ...... 20

3.3 FAUNA HABITATS ...... 21

3.3.1 Major Habitats ...... 22

3.3.2 Minor Habitats ...... 27

3.4 FAUNA RECORDED DURING THE 2011 SURVEY ...... 32

3.4.1 Amphibians ...... 32

3.4.2 Reptiles ...... 32

3.4.3 Birds ...... 32

3.4.4 Mammals ...... 32

3.5 COMBINED PORT HEDLAND FAUNA ASSEMBLAGES ...... 32

3.5.1 Amphibians ...... 33

3.5.2 Reptiles ...... 33

3.5.3 Birds ...... 33

3.5.4 Mammals ...... 34

3.6 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA ...... 34

4 DISCUSSION ...... 59

4.1 FAUNA HABITATS ...... 59

4.2 FAUNA ASSEMBLAGES ...... 60

4.3 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA ...... 61

5 SUMMARY ...... 64

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6 REFERENCES ...... 65

FIGURES

FIGURE 1 REGIONAL LOCATION

FIGURE 2 AVERAGE LONG‐TERM (1948‐2011) MONTHLY RAINFALL AND AVERAGE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES AT PORT HEDLAND AIRPORT (BOM 2011) (INCLUDED IN‐TEXT)

FIGURE 3A‐B HABITAT ASSESSMENT, MULGARA TRANSECT, ANABAT AND MOTION SENSITIVE CAMERA LOCATIONS

FIGURE 4A‐F FAUNA HABITAT

FIGURE 5A‐B LOCATION OF THREATENED FAUNA

FIGURE 6 A‐B LOCATION OF MIGRATORY FAUNA

TABLES

TABLE 1 LAND SYSTEMS OF THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 2 GEOLOGICAL UNITS OF THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 3 PRE‐EUROPEAN VEGETATION MAPPING OF THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 4 SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS FAUNA SURVEYS IN THE PORT HEDLAND REGION

TABLE 5 LIMITATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2011 FAUNA SURVEY

TABLE 6 HABITAT TYPES OF THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 7 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA RECORDED IN THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 8 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN THE STUDY AREA

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A DEFINITIONS OF CONSERVATION CODES FOR FAUNA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE

APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

APPENDIX C FAUNA HABITAT DATA SHEETS

APPENDIX D ANABAT, MOTION SENSITIVE CAMERA AND MULGARA TRANSECT LOCATIONS

APPENDIX E LOCATION OF RECORDED CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA

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STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS Scope of Services This environmental site assessment report (‘the report’) has been prepared in accordance with the scope of services set out in the contract, or as otherwise agreed, between the Client and ENV.Australia Pty Ltd (ENV) (‘scope of services’). In some circumstances the scope of services may have been limited by factors such as time, budget, access and/or site disturbance constraints.

Reliance on Data In preparing the report, ENV has relied on data, surveys, analyses, designs, plans and other information provided by the Client and other individuals and organisations, most of which are referred to in the report (‘the data’). Except as otherwise stated in the report, ENV has not verified the accuracy or completeness of the data. To the extent that the statements, opinions, facts, information, conclusions and/or recommendations in the report (‘conclusions’) are based in whole or in part on the data, those conclusions are contingent upon the accuracy and completeness of the data. ENV will not be liable in relation to incorrect conclusions should any data, information or condition be incorrect or have been concealed, withheld, unavailable, misrepresented or otherwise not fully disclosed to ENV.

Environmental Conclusions In accordance with the scope of services, ENV has relied on the data and has conducted environmental field monitoring and/or testing in the preparation of the report. The nature and extent of monitoring and/or testing conducted is described in the report.

Within the limitations imposed by the scope of services, the monitoring, testing, sampling and preparation of this report have been undertaken and performed in a professional manner, in accordance with generally accepted practices and using a degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by reputable environmental consultants under similar circumstances. No other warranty, express or implied, is made.

Report for Benefit of Client The report has been prepared for the benefit of the Client and for no other party. ENV assumes no responsibility and will not be liable to any other person or organisation for or in relation to any matter dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report, or for any loss or damage suffered by any other person or organisation arising from matters dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report (including, without limitation, matters arising from any negligent act or omission of ENV or for any loss or damage suffered by any other party relying on the matters dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report). Other parties should not rely upon the report or the accuracy or completeness of any conclusions, and should make their own enquiries and obtain independent advice in relation to such matters.

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Other Limitations ENV will not be liable to update or revise the report to take into account any events or circumstances occurring or facts becoming apparent after the date of the report. The scope of services did not include any assessment of the title to or ownership of the properties, buildings and structures referred to in the report, nor the application or interpretation of laws in the jurisdiction in which those properties, buildings and structures are located.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ENV.Australia Pty Ltd was commissioned by BHP Billiton Iron Ore, in February 2011, to undertake a Level One Regional Fauna Assessment of the Port Hedland area, located adjacent and surrounding the town of Port Hedland in the coastal Pilbara region in Western Australia. The study area is 808.7 km2 in size.

The purpose of the assessment was to provide a background to the regional fauna of the Port Hedland area. The assessment included a review of previous surveys conducted in the area and additional field survey work to provide any supplementary information required. The field survey was undertaken between the 11th and 20th July 2011.

The study area consists of five major fauna habitat types: Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats, Mangroves, Riverine and Sandplain. Additional minor habitats were located throughout the study area: Billabong, Low Hill, Granite Tor, Quartz Hill, Rockpile and Quarry. The Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats, Mangroves and Riverine habitats were all given High habitat value and Sandplain habitat was deemed as having Moderate habitat value.

Habitats considered to be of High habitat value constitute approximately 10.87% of the study area. The majority of the study area (67.9%) was composed of the Moderate value Sandplain habitat.

A total of 13 species listed as Migratory under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), and 14 species gazetted as Scheduled Fauna under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA) were recorded. A further three conservation significant species (Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis, Bush Thick‐knee Burhinus grallarius and Woma Aspidites ramsayi were also recorded in the study area.

During the 2011 survey, 108 vertebrate species were opportunistically recorded, including two amphibians, 20 reptiles, 79 birds, and seven mammal species.

Using the combined results of the fauna database review and the 2011 survey, a total of 316 vertebrate species have been recorded within the vicinity of the study area. This includes 11 amphibian, 74 reptile, 189 bird and 42 mammal species.

A total of 61 conservation significant species were considered to potentially occur in the study area from the desktop assessment. A total of 38 conservation significant species (two reptiles, 33 birds and three mammal species) were recorded in the study area by either the current or past surveys. Of these, 29 species are listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act, while eight are considered rare or threatened: Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus: Endangered, Schedule 1), Woma (Schedule 4), Little Northern Freetail‐bat (Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis: Priority 1), Australian Bustard (Priority 4), Bush Stone‐curlew (Priority 4), Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis: Priority 4 and Migratory), Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda subclarescens; Priority 4) and Western Pebble‐mouse (Pseudomys chapmani: Priority 4).

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Of the remaining 24 potentially occurring conservation significant species, 17 species were assessed as ‘Likely’ to occur, four species were considered as ‘Possible’ to occur, two species was considered ‘Unlikely’ to occur and one species was considered ‘Highly Unlikely’ to occur.

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 THE PROJECT

1.1.1 Objectives ENV.Australia Pty Ltd (ENV) was commissioned by BHP Billiton Iron Ore (BHPBIO), in April 2011, to undertake a vertebrate fauna review of the Port Hedland region (the study area). The purpose of the assessment was to provide BHPBIO with a regional assessment of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of the Port Hedland area.

The objectives of the fauna assessment were to:

 collate historical knowledge of the study area through a fauna database review;

 review and summarise previous fauna surveys within and in the vicinity of the study area;

 conduct a vertebrate fauna habitat assessment of the study area;

 conduct targeted searches for conservation significant fauna; and

 document opportunistic records of vertebrate fauna within the study area during the current field survey undertaken in 2011.

1.1.2 Location The study area is approximately 808.74 square kilometres (km2) or 80,874 hectares (ha) in size and located in the Port Hedland district (Pilbara region) of Western Australia (Figure 1).

1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES

1.2.1 Climate The Pilbara has an arid‐tropical climate with two distinct seasons, a hot summer from October to April and a mild winter from May to September. The area experiences a wide temperature range, with an average annual maximum daytime temperature of 33.2°C (1948‐2011). In summer, maximum daytime temperatures may reach 49°C, whilst in winter, minimum night time temperatures may fall to 3.2°C (Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) 2011). Rainfall in the Pilbara is often sporadic, and occurs mostly during the summer period.

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The nearest accessible long‐term climate data is available from the BoM Port Hedland Airport weather station, which is located within the study area.

The Port Hedland area has an average annual rainfall of 313.6 mm (1948‐2011) (BoM 2011) with the majority of rainfall occurring during the summer months (Figure 2). Summer rainfall is typically associated with tropical monsoonal storms in the north, or tropical cyclones that cross the coast and move inland. Winter rainfall is commonly the result of cold fronts moving north‐easterly across the State.

Figure 2: Average long‐term (1948‐2011) Monthly Rainfall and average Maximum and Minimum Temperatures at Port Hedland Airport (BoM 2011)

1.2.2 Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia The Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) divides Australia into 85 bioregions based on major biological and geographical/geological attributes (Thackway and Cresswell 1995). These bioregions are subdivided into 403 subregions, as part of a refinement of the IBRA framework (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities [DSEWPaC] 2011a).

The study area is located within the Roebourne subregion (PIL4) (574.92 km2 of the study area) and the Chichester subregion (PIL1) (140.53 km2) of the Pilbara bioregion (Thackway and Cresswell 1995).

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The Roebourne subregion is characterised by coastal and sub‐coastal plains with a grass savannah of mixed bunch and hummock grasses, and dwarf shrub steppe of Acacia stellaticeps or A. pyrifolia and A. inaequilatera (Kendrick and Stanley 2001). This subregion covers over 70% of the study area.

The Chichester subregion is characterised by plains with a shrub steppe of Acacia inaequilatera over Triodia wiseana hummock grassland and Eucalyptus leucophloia tree steppe on rangelands (Kendrick and McKenzie 2001). This subregion occurs only in the south‐eastern 17% of the study area. The remaining proportion of the study area is ocean or estuaries.

1.2.3 Land Systems Land system mapping is based on regional patterns in topography, soils and vegetation. The land system mapping classifies the Pilbara region into 102 land systems (van Vreeswyk et al. 2004). The study area comprises six land systems and one land unit (Table 1).

The majority of the study area is dominated by the Uaroo Land system, which occupies over 60 % of the study area. The Littoral Land System occurs along the coastal region to the north, and the Macroy Land System occurs only in the south eastern corner of the study area. Areas of River Land System occur along the western and eastern boundaries of the study area, with small occurrences of the Mallina and Yamerina Land Systems along the western boundary.

Table 1: Land Systems of the Study Area

Area of Land Area of Land System within System within the Study Area Pilbara Bioregion % of % of % of total in Land Area Pilbara Area Study Pilbara System Description (km²) Region (km²) Area Bioregion Bare coastal mudflats with Littoral mangroves on seaward 127. fringes, samphire flats, 1,577 0.9% 15.75% 8.1% Land 4 sandy islands, coastal System dunes and beaches. Stony plains and Macroy occasional tor fields based Land on granite supporting hard 13,095 7.2% 37.8 4.67% 0.008% and soft spinifex System grasslands.

Sandy surfaced alluvial Mallina plains supporting soft 2,557 1.4% 11.2 1.38% 0.44% Land spinifex (and occasional System hard spinifex) grasslands.

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Area of Land Area of Land System within System within the Study Area Pilbara Bioregion % of % of % of total in Land Area Pilbara Area Study Pilbara System Description (km²) Region (km²) Area Bioregion Active flood plains and major rivers supporting River grassy eucalypt 4,088 2.3% 32.2 3.98% 0.79% Land woodlands, tussock grasslands and soft System spinifex grasslands.

Broad sandy plains Uaroo supporting shrubby hard 495. 7,681 4.2% 61.26% 6.45% Land and soft spinifex 4 System grasslands.

Flood plains and deltaic Yamerina deposits supporting Land tussock grasslands, grassy 1,207 0.7% 8.9 1.1% 0.74% woodlands and minor System halophytic low shrublands.

River Bed Land Unit and Other N/A N/A 95.8 11.86% N/A Marine Environment

1.2.4 Geology Eight geological units occur in the study area (Table 2), based on mapping at a scale of 1:250,000 by the Geological Survey of Western Australia (1990).

Table 2: Geological Units of the Study Area

Unit Description Area (km2) CONSTANTINE SANDSTONE, subunit: Wacke; locally subarkosic; ACDcsw fine‐ to coarse‐grained; well‐developed graded units; minor 12.04 pebble beds and shale; turbiditic; metamorphosed AgPMA Granitic rock, unassigned, interpreted from aeromagnetic data 48.94 Interleaved amphibolite and talc‐tremolite‐serpentine‐chlorite APIxmbmuts 19.1 schist MALLINA FORMATION: interbedded shale, siltstone, sandstone, ACDms 27.07 and medium‐ to fine‐grained wacke; metamorphosed Mylonitic granitoid, felsic and mafic volcanic, ultramafic, and AmyyPWP 8.93 sedimentary rocks Pilbara Supergroup, unassigned: mafic and ultramafic volcanic APIxbs 236.63 rocks; minor chert; metamorphosed

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Unit Description Area (km2) PIPPINGARRA GRANITIC COMPLEX: undivided granitoid rocks; AgPI 332.42 metamorphosed Unassigned monzogranite, interpreted from aeromagnetic data; AgmPMA 20.98 metamorphosed Other Unassigned geological areas 102.63

1.2.5 Soils The following five soil groups (Tille 2006) occur in the study area:

Tidal soils (104): Intertidal soils are inundated regularly and supratidal soils are inundated infrequently. Soils are deep (>100 cm) sandy clay loams or silty light to medium clays overlying silty medium clays.

Calcareous deep Sands (442): This soil group comprises deep white, grey and brown calcareous sands of the coastal margins of the survey area. The sands tend to be white to light grey on the beach and foredune zones, trending to yellowish brown to strong brown away from the beaches.

Red deep sandy duplex soils(405): These soils have medium (10‐30 cm) topsoils of loamy sands to sandy loams overlying medium to thick (30‐60 cm) subsoils of clay loams or light to medium clay. These soils are mostly deep (>100 cm).

Red/brown non‐ cracking clays(622): Shallow (<50 cm) red/brown non‐cracking clays have thin clay loam or light clay topsoils overlying subsoils of light clay or are uniformly clay throughout.

Red deep sands (445): The majority of the deep red sands occur on sandplains, sand sheets and sand banks. These soils are deep and have thin to medium (10‐30 cm) topsoil textures of loamy sand overlying thick (>60 cm) subsoils of clayey sand or sandy loam.

1.2.6 Vegetation Mapping Vegetation mapping of the Pilbara region was completed on a broad scale (1:1,000,000) by Beard (1975). The study area is situated in the Roebourne plains which forms a part of the Fortescue Botanical District in the Eremaean Botanical Province of Western Australia (Beard 1975). Seven broad vegetation units occur in the study area (Beard 1975: Table 3).

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Shepherd et al. (2001) re‐assessed the mapping of Beard (1975), and updated vegetation boundaries to account for clearing in the intensive land use zone, and divided some larger vegetation units into smaller units. Vegetation types 43, 93, 117, 127, 589, 619 and 647 described by Shepherd et al. (2001) correspond with that of Beard (1975) as shown in Table 3.

Shepherd et al. (2001) vegetation type 647 dominates the north and west, accounting for about 37% of the study area. Other dominant broad vegetation types are 589 and 93, which chiefly occur in the central and south eastern parts, and account for approximately 22% and 15% of the study area respectively (Shepherd et al. 2001).

Table 3: Pre‐European Vegetation Mapping of the Study Area

Area Beard (1975) Vegetation Mapping % of (km²) of Shepherd et al. (2001) study Vegetation study Vegetation Type Unit Code area Description area Hummock grasslands, dwarf‐shrub steppe; a18Zr t1Hi 300.54 37.16% 647 Acacia translucens over soft spinifex Hummock grasslands, shrub steppe; kanji over a2Sr t1Hi 118.96 14.71% 93 soft spinifex Hummock grasslands, t1Hi 13.61 1.68% 117 grass steppe; soft spinifex Bare areas; mudflats mud 75.77 9.37% 127 Low forest; mangroves (Kimberley) or thicket; mangrove 34.3 4.24% 43 mangroves (Pilbara) Mosaic: Short bunch grassland ‐ savannah / grass plain (Pilbara) / xGc/t1Hi 177.48 21.95% 589 Hummock grasslands, grass steppe; soft spinifex Medium woodland; river gum (Eucalyptus e18Mi 2.82 0.35% 619 camaldulensis) Areas not mapped by ‐ 85.26 10.54% ‐ Beard (1975)

1.3 PREVIOUS BIOLOGICAL STUDIES Fauna surveys of the of the Port Hedland district have been conducted by a number of organisations including: Coffey Environments Australia (Coffey), Biologic, Biota Environmental Sciences (Biota), ecologia Environment (ecologia), ENV, and Mattiske Consulting (Mattiske). These surveys have been commissioned by clients including BHPBIO, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), Fluor and SKM Iron Ore Joint Venture (FAST) and

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North West Infrastructure (NWI). The following reports, which are summarised later in this report, are listed in order of survey type and then chronologically.

Desktop Assessment

 A Biodiversity Assessment of the Utah Point Berth Development, Port Hedland (Biota 2008a).

Level 1 Fauna Assessment

 Bird Survey of Nelson Point Wetlands in April 2011 (Bennelongia 2011);

 Level 1 Terrestrial fauna Survey for the Multi‐User Iron ore Export Facility: Port Infrastructure Project (Coffey 2011);

 Mooka Siding, Level 1/ Targeted Fauna Survey (Biologic 2010);

 Port Hedland Nelson Pt Dredging Approvals Flora and Fauna Review of DMMA H (Biota 2009);

 A Flora and Fauna Assessment of RGP5 DMMA A, Port Hedland Harbour (Biota 2008b);

 A Flora and Fauna Assessment of RGP5 Spoil Areas A and H, Port Hedland Harbour (Biota 2008c);

 Rail RGP5 Fauna Survey Bing to Walla Siding and Repeater 1 (ecologia 2008a);

 Rail RGP5 Fauna Survey: Quarry 1 (ecologia 2008b); and

 Goldsworthy rail Duplication Fauna Assessment (ENV.Australia 2008).

Level 2 Fauna Assessments

 RGP5 Northern Quoll Wider Area Survey (ecologia 2009);

 Outer Harbour Development Fauna Assessment (ENV.Australia 2009);

 Port Hedland Solar Saltfield Expansion Fauna Survey (Biota 2006);

 Fauna Habitats and Fauna Assemblage of the Proposed FMG Stage A Rail Corridor (Biota 2004);

 Hope Downs Rail Corridor from Weeli Wolli Siding to Port Hedland Vertebrate Fauna Survey (Biota 2002); and

 Hedland HBI Project – Boodarie Site‐ Flora Vegetation and Vertebrate Fauna Survey (Mattiske 1994).

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2 METHODS

2.1 BACKGROUND TO THE PROTECTION OF FAUNA Fauna are protected formally and informally by various legislative and non‐legislative measures, which are as follows:

Legislative Protection

 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act);

 Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act); and

 Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act).

Non‐Legislative Protection

 Western Australian DEC Priority lists for fauna;

 International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List (IUCN);

 International Bilateral Agreements (Japan‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement [JAMBA], China‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement [CAMBA], Republic of Korea‐ Australia Migratory Bird Agreement [ROKAMBA] and Bonn Convention); and

 Recognition of locally significant populations by the DEC.

A short description of each is given below; other definitions, including species conservation categories are provided in Appendix A.

EPBC Act

The EPBC Act aims to protect matters of national environmental significance. Under the EPBC Act, DSEWPaC lists threatened species and communities in categories determined

by criteria set out in the Act ( HUwww.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.htmlUH).

Projects likely to cause impacts to matters of national environmental significance should be referred to DSEWPaC for assessment under the EPBC Act.

WC Act

The Western Australian DEC lists fauna under the provisions of the WC Act as protected, and fauna are classified as Schedule 1 to Schedule 4 according to their need for protection.

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EP Act

Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) are given special consideration in environmental impact assessment, and have special status as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) under the EP Act and the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004.

DEC Priority Lists

The DEC lists fauna that have not been assigned statutory protection under the WC Act, but which are under consideration as ‘Scheduled’ fauna.

Fauna assessed as Priority 1‐3 are in urgent need of further survey; Priority 4‐5 fauna are in need of monitoring as they are not currently threatened but could become so.

In addition, the DEC maintains a list of Priority Ecological Communities (PECs) which identifies those communities that need further investigation before possible nomination for TEC status.

Once listed, a community is a PEC, and when endorsed by the Western Australian Minister of Environment becomes a TEC, and protected as an ESA under the EP Act.

International Union for Conservation of Nature

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) publishes a listing of species of conservation importance, known as the IUCN Red List (IUCN 2011). This list identifies those species threatened with extinction and most in need of conservation attention. The IUCN Red List is often acknowledged as one of the most comprehensive global approaches for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

International Bilateral Agreements

These bilateral agreements include the JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA and Bonn Convention. These agreements require all signatory countries to protect migratory birds by: limiting the circumstances under which migratory birds are taken or traded; protecting and conserving important habitats; exchanging information; and building cooperative relationships.

Fauna of Local Significance

In addition, certain populations of fauna may be of local significance or interest because of their patterns of distribution and abundance. For example, fauna may be locally significant because they are range extensions to the previously known distribution or are newly discovered taxa (and therefore have the potential to be of more than local significance). In addition, many species are in decline as a result of threatening processes (primarily land clearing), and relict populations of such species assume local importance to the DEC.

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2.2 SURVEY METHODS The survey was carried out in a manner designed to be consistent with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) requirements for the environmental surveying and reporting of fauna surveys in Western Australia, as set out in the following documents:

 Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection. Position Statement No. 3 (EPA 2002);

 Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia. Guidance Statement No. 56 (EPA 2004); and

 Technical Guide ‐ Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA 2010).

The survey was also designed according to the BHPBIO Guidance for Vertebrate Fauna Surveys in the Pilbara (BHPBIO 2010).

2.2.1 Database and Literature Review The purpose of the desktop review was to gather background information on the study area and the fauna that it may support. This involved a search of the following sources:

 Western Australian Museum (WAM) and DEC combined biological database NatureMap (DEC 2011a);

 DEC Threatened and Priority Fauna database (DEC 2011b);

 DSEWPaC Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC 2011b), also known as an EPBC search;

 Birdata, Birds listed by Birds Australia (Birdata 2011); and

 Previous fauna surveys (e.g. previous ENV reports, other consultant’s reports, and DEC reports as per Section 1.3).

Collectively, these sources were used to compile a list of species that have been recorded and that may potentially occur in the region (Appendix B). This list will invariably include some species that do not occur in the study area, as some fauna have a limited or patchy distribution, high level of habitat specificity, are locally extinct or were erroneously identified in previous surveys. Extinct species, clearly erroneous records and species with a high level of habitat specificity for habitats not present in the study area were excluded from this list.

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2.2.2 Field Survey The purpose of the field survey was to verify the accuracy of the desktop survey and to further delineate and characterise the habitat and faunal assemblages present in the study area. The field survey was undertaken between the 11th and 20th July 2011.

2.2.3 Habitat Assessment A total of 19 habitat assessments were completed during the field survey with a minimum of one habitat assessment undertaken for each fauna habitat type (Figure 3). Vegetation communities and landforms were used to identify the broad fauna habitats in the survey area. These fauna habitats were then assessed for their potential to support species of conservation significance and the quality of habitat they provide to a wider suite of fauna assemblages. Habitats were rated as High, Moderate or Low on the basis of their complexity, the presence of microhabitats including caves, significant trees with hollows, loose bark, fallen hollow logs and leaf litter, and their representation in the study area. Data was recorded using standardised field sheets designed in accordance with BHPBIO Guidance (BHPBIO 2010) (Appendix C). The information recorded at each habitat assessment included landscape features, soils and rock type, leaf litter, vegetation cover and disturbance levels. The habitat assessments were used to generate a vertebrate fauna habitat map for the study area (Figure 4).

2.2.4 Targeted Surveys Species of conservation significance to be targeted during field surveys were identified from the literature review and database searches. Acoustic Bat Recording, Motion Sensitive Camera and Transect and Opportunistic Searches were used to attempt to identify these species.

Acoustic Bat Recording

Acoustic bat recordings were undertaken from dusk until dawn using AnaBat recording units to document the presence of bat species in the area. A total of five nights of acoustic bat recordings was completed in five independent sites throughout the study area (Figure 3 and Appendix D). Mangrove habitat, including those on Finucane Island were targeted, because the conservation significant Little Northern Freetail‐bat (Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis) was previously recorded there (ENV.Australia 2009). Additional sites were targeted that would provide potential roosting or foraging sites for microbat species, i.e. the Riverine habitat, Billabong (Coolarin Pool) and Quarry were sampled to target likely foraging locations of two conservation significant bats: Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) and Pilbara Leaf‐nosed Bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia).

Motion Sensitive Cameras

Two Moultrie Game Spy D‐55IR Digital Game Cameras were set up at three locations in the study area. The cameras were placed in areas where Northern Quolls (Dasyurus

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hallucatus) had been previously recorded and in habitats where it is considered likely to occur. Cameras were set out for a total of six nights (Figure 3 and Appendix D).

Transects and Opportunistic Searches

Transects and opportunistic searches of suitable habitats were conducted across the study area. These searches targeted habitats that potentially support fauna of conservation significance (based on literature and database review). Specific searches were undertaken within suitable habitat for the Brush‐tailed Mulgara (Dasycercus blythi) and Northern Quoll. Transect searches for Brush‐tailed Mulgara burrows and signs were completed within the Sandplain habitat ‐ totalling approximately 36.7 km of transects (Figure 3 and Appendix D). Northern Quoll targeted searches were completed through all rocky habitats within the study area, with a particular focus on areas where Northern Quolls had previously been recorded. Searches involved two zoologists walking approximately 50 metres (m) apart investigating burrows, tracks, and sampling of scats.

Targeted searches were conducted in rocky areas of the study area, in particular quartz and granite outcrops for the presence of the gecko Gehyra nana. This gecko was recorded in the Boodarie survey (Mattiske 1994) but there is some taxonomic uncertainty with this species in the Pilbara.

2.3 TAXONOMIC IDENTIFICATION If any taxonomic uncertainty existed for species identified during the desktop assessment (as a result of recent taxonomic reviews) an effort was made to determine the current scientific name for each taxon. In some cases, old scientific names may be presented when correct nomenclature could not be determined. Some taxon names may be followed by ‘sp.’, meaning that the species name was not given in the data source or the identification is in doubt. Where there are previously recorded taxa such as this that have the potential to be conservation significant species, they are discussed specifically in the results section.

Taxonomy and nomenclature in this report follows the accepted listing of terrestrial vertebrate species by Western Australian Museum (WAM) and the EPA. For example the listing for amphibians and reptiles follows Aplin et al. (2001), for birds by Christidis and Boles (2008) and for mammals by van Dyck and Strahan (2008). 3 RESULTS

3.1 LITERATURE REVIEW A total of 16 fauna surveys have been previously completed within the study area. A summary of survey methods and major findings are detailed below. Conservation status

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of species recorded has not changed since surveys were completed for all surveys except Mattiske (1994).

3.1.1 Summary of Survey Methods and Major Findings A Biodiversity Assessment of the Utah Point Berth Development

Biota (2008a) undertook a desktop fauna review in the vicinity of the port site and access road.

Bird Survey of Nelson Point Wetlands in April 2011

Bennelongia (2011) conducted a bird survey of seven disturbed wetlands within and adjacent to industrial infrastructure at Nelson Point on 15 April 2011. This survey comprised of a systematic bird survey, during which five conservation significant species were recorded: the Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda subclarescens), which is listed as a Priority 4 under the DEC priority list and four shorebirds which are listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act: Little Curlew (Numenius minutus), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Grey‐tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes) and Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola).

Multi‐user Iron Ore Export Facility: Port Infrastructure Project

Coffey (2011) undertook a Level 1 terrestrial fauna survey of the Multi‐user Iron Ore Export Facility: Port Infrastructure Project in Port Hedland. This survey comprised a desktop assessment and a three day site visit in which habitat assessments were completed. The field survey was conducted between 21 June and 23 June 2010.

A total of 36 conservation significant fauna species were classified as possible visitors to the project area (26 migratory birds, five mammals, two reptiles and three other bird species).

Mooka Siding Level 1 / Targeted Survey

Biologic (2010) undertook a Level 1 survey of the proposed Mooka Siding Project. The work involved a desktop assessment, reconnaissance surveys and targeted surveys. Two, six day reconnaissance surveys were completed which entailed systematic bird surveys, targeted searching, microhabitat sampling for reptiles, short‐range endemic species (SRE), acoustic bat surveys, motion‐sensitive cameras and habitat assessments. The surveys were conducted over the 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 November 2010.

A total of six conservation significant fauna were recorded during this survey: the Northern Quoll which is listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act and Schedule 1 under the WC Act, the Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis), Bush Stone‐curlew (Burhinus grallarius) and Western Pebble‐mouse (Pseudomys chapmani) which are listed as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority list and the Oriental Plover (Glareola maldivarum) and Rainbow Bee‐eater (Merops ornatus) which are listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act.

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Port Hedland Nelson Point Dredging Approvals Flora and Fauna Review of DMMA H

Biota (2009) undertook a Level 1 survey of the proposed Dredged Material Management Area H. The survey consisted of a desktop assessment and a two day site assessment during which bird surveys, habitat assessments, opportunistic recordings and non‐ intensive searches for SRE species were conducted. The survey was conducted on the 26 and 27 February 2008.

A total of four conservation significant fauna were recorded during this survey: the Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) which is listed as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority list and Migratory under the EPBC Act and the Whimbrel, Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) and Rainbow Bee‐eater which are all listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act.

A Flora and Fauna Assessment of RGP5 DMMA A, Port Hedland Harbour

Biota (2008b) undertook a Level 1 survey of the proposed Dredged Material Management Area A. The survey comprised a desktop assessment and a two day site assessment which included bird surveys, habitat assessments, opportunistic recordings and non‐intensive searches for SRE species. The survey was conducted on the 26 and 27 February 2008.

A total of two conservation significant fauna were recorded during this survey: the Eastern Curlew which is listed as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority list and Migratory under the EPBC Act, and the Whimbrel which is listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act.

Rail RGP5 Fauna Survey Bing to Walla Siding and Repeater 1

This Level 1 survey was conducted by ecologia (2008a) along the rail line between Walla to Bing Sidings and Repeater One along the BHPBIO Newman to Port Hedland mainline. The work consisted of a desktop assessment and a three day site assessment which included bird surveys, habitat assessments, and opportunistic recordings and spotlighting. This survey was conducted between 19 – 21 April 2008.

A total of two conservation significant fauna were recorded during this survey namely: the Oriental Plover and Rainbow Bee‐eater which are both listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act.

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Rail RGP5 Fauna Survey Quarry 1

This Level 1 survey was conducted by ecologia (2008b) in and surrounding Quarry 1. The survey consisted of a desktop assessment and a one day site assessment (conducted on the 21 April 2008) during which habitat assessments and opportunistic searches were conducted. Additionally, 24 Elliott traps were left overnight at the site in an attempt to capture Northern Quolls on the 7 May 2008.

One species of conservation significance, the Northern Quoll (Endangered under the EPBC Act) was recorded during this survey. Two male and two female Northern Quolls were captured.

Goldsworthy Rail Duplication Fauna Assessment

ENV.Australia (2008) undertook a Level 1 survey as part of the proposed Goldsworthy Rail Duplication Project. This work comprised a desktop assessment and a four day site visit during which habitat assessments and opportunistic recordings were conducted. The survey was conducted between 13‐16 October 2008.

Two conservation significant fauna were recorded during this survey: the Eastern Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and Rainbow Bee‐eater which are both listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act.

RGP5 Northern Quoll Wider Area Survey

A targeted survey of Northern Quoll was done by ecologia (2009) between 13 – 18 September 2008. The survey focused on the surrounding areas of Quarries 1 and 2 along the Newman to Port Hedland railway and consisted of 15 trapping sites with a total of 483 trapping nights. A total of 21 Northern Quolls (Endangered under the EPBC Act) were captured from eight locations.

Outer Harbour Development Fauna Assessment

ENV.Australia (2009) undertook a two season Level 2 survey as part of the Outer Harbour Development Project. The survey consisted of a desktop assessment, two season trapping programme, opportunistic recordings, bird surveys, acoustic bat surveys and habitat assessments. In the summer survey eight trapping sites were established. Each site had pitfall, cage, Elliott, funnel and pot traps. An additional two trap sites were established during the winter survey and each site used the same trap types as the summer survey. Total trap effort was 3776 trap nights for the summer survey (12 October to 9 November 2007) and 5600 trap nights for the winter survey (5‐16 May 2008).

A total of 29 conservation significant fauna were recorded during this survey: the Woma (Aspidites ramsayi) which is listed as Schedule 4 under the WC Act, the Little Northern Freetail‐bat which is listed as Priority 1 under the DEC Priority list, the Australian

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Bustard which is listed as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority list, the Eastern Curlew which is listed as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority list and Migratory under the EPBC Act, and a further 25 species of birds classified as Migratory under the EPBC Act.

Port Hedland Solar Saltfield Expansion Fauna Survey

Biota (2006) undertook a fauna assessment of the Port Hedland Solar Salt Expansion Area from 17 – 26 September 2005. The assessment involved both systematic and non‐ systematic sampling. Systematic sampling comprised of 12 trapping grids with a total of 660 pit trap nights, 120 funnel trap nights and 150 Elliot trap nights, avifauna surveys, acoustic bat surveys, and invertebrate sampling, whilst non‐systematic sampling comprised opportunistic observations, habitat assessments and fauna searches (for both vertebrates and invertebrates). Two conservation significant species fauna were recorded during this survey: the Little Northern Freetail‐bat which is listed as Priority 1 under the DEC Priority list, the Australian Bustard which is listed as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority list.

Fauna Habitats and Fauna Assemblage of the Proposed FMG Stage A Rail Corridor

Biota (2004) undertook a fauna assessment of the FMG rail corridor between 20 March – 7 April 2004. The assessment involved both systematic and non‐systematic sampling. Systematic sampling consisted of 18 trapping grids with a total of 1,000 pit trap nights, avifauna surveys and acoustic bat surveys whilst non‐systematic sampling comprised of opportunistic sighting, habitat assessments and fauna searches. This survey recorded two species, the Rainbow Bee‐eater and Australian Bustard. The FMG rail corridor (Biota 2004) and the Hope Downs rail corridor (Biota 2002) overlap each other at the Port Hedland section of the corridors. As such data obtained from the Port Hedland section of the Hope Downs survey (Biota 2002) was used in the FMG report.

Hope Downs Rail Corridor from Weeli Wolli Siding to Port Hedland Vertebrate Fauna Survey

Biota (2002) undertook a Level 2 survey of the Hope Downs Rail Corridor between 23 April – 14 May 2001 and 23 June – 1 July 2001. The survey comprised a desktop survey, single season trapping programme, opportunistic recordings, bird surveys, acoustic bat surveys, habitat assessments and targeted fauna surveys. Trapping sites consisted of either pit fall traps or Elliott traps with a total of 2,310 pit trap nights and 590 Elliott trap nights.

This survey recorded eight species of conservation significance including: Eastern Curlew, Little Northern Freetail‐bat, Australian Bustard, Woma, the skink Lerista aff. bipes, Rainbow Bee‐eater, Bush‐Stone Curlew and Ghost Bat.

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Hedland HBI Project – Boodarie Site‐ Flora Vegetation and Vertebrate Fauna Survey

Mattiske (1994) undertook a single season Level 2 survey in the Boodarie Project Area. The survey consisted of a desktop assessment, single season trapping programme, opportunistic recordings, bird surveys, mist netting for bats, spotlighting and habitat assessments. A total of seven trap sites were set up, five of which contained 10 pitfall traps, 10 medium and a single large Elliott trap and two sites that contained 15 medium and two large Elliott traps. Trap sites were open for five nights and total trap effort was 715 trap nights. A reconnaissance survey was conducted between 12‐14 September 1994, with the detailed survey conducted in October 1994.

A total of 12 conservation significant fauna were recorded during this survey: Australian Bustard which is listed as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority list, the Eastern Curlew which is listed as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority list and Migratory under the EPBC Act, the White‐bellied Sea‐eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), Eastern Osprey, Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus), Oriental Plover, Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris), Eastern Curlew, Whimbrel, Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) and Rainbow Bee‐eater which are all listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act. As the survey was completed in 1994 the terminology and status regarding conservation significant fauna has changed. At the time of the survey the Eastern Osprey was not listed as conservation significant, however it is now classified as Migratory under the EPBC Act. Additionally, the Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus) and Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) were both listed on the Department of Conservation and Land Management Reserve List, but this classification is no longer valid and both species are not listed as conservation significant.

3.1.2 Summary of Results A summary of the results of each of these surveys is presented in Table 4. It should be noted that differences in survey type, survey timing, extent and the size and location of each study area will have influenced the results. The two surveys that had the highest number of species and conservation significant species recorded were the Level 2 surveys: Outer Harbour Development (ENV.Australia 2009) and Boodarie HBI Project (Mattiske 1994). During these surveys 199 species and 29 conservation significant species, and 105 species and 12 conservation significant species, were recorded respectively. This result is due to the inclusion of a trapping programme and a greater level of survey effort than the other largely Level 1 surveys. Two reports by Biota (Biota 2002, 2004) are for rail corridors that start in the Port Hedland area but extend for hundreds of km south. Much of the data collected for these reports is irrelevant to this review. Additionally data obtained from the Port Hedland section of the Hope Downs survey (Biota 2002) was used in the FMG Stage A report (Biota 2004). As such only the data obtained from the Port Hedland sites during the Hope Downs survey (Biota 2002) are used in this report.

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Table 4: Summary of Previous Fauna Surveys in the Port Hedland Region. # Year of Conservation Level of Report Title Company Field Significant Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals Total Assessment Work Species Recorded A Biodiversity Assessment of the Utah Biota 2008 Desktop N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Point Berth Development Bird Survey of Nelson Point Wetlands Bennelongia 2011 Bird Census 5 0 0 48 0 48 in April 2011 Multi‐user Iron Ore Export Facility: Coffey 2011 Level 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Port Infrastructure Project Mooka Siding Level 1 / Targeted Biologic 2010 Level 1 6 0 15 40 17 72 Survey Pt Hedland Nelson Pt Dredging Approvals Flora and Fauna Review of Biota 2008 Level 1 4 0 0 23 2 25 DMMA H A Flora and Fauna Assessment of RGP5 Biota 2008 Level 1 2 0 2 13 3 18 DMMA A, Port Hedland Harbour Rail RGP5 Fauna Survey Bing to Walla ecologia 2008 Level 1 2 1 10 43 2 56 Siding and Repeater 1

Rail RGP5 Fauna Survey Quarry 1 ecologia 2008 Level 1 1 0 9 10 1 20

Goldsworthy rail Duplication Fauna ENV 2008 Level 1 2 0 6 29 4 39 Assessment RGP5 Northern Quoll Wider Survey Target ecologia 2008 1 0 0 0 1 1 Area Search Outer Harbour Development Fauna 2007‐ Level 2 ENV 29 6 53 115 25 199 Assessment 2008 Combined Port Hedland Solar Saltfield Expansion Biota 2005 Level 2 2 3 38 31 11 83 Fauna Survey

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# Year of Conservation Level of Report Title Company Field Significant Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals Total Assessment Work Species Recorded Hope Downs Rail Corridor from Weeli Wolli Siding to Port Hedland Biota 2002 Level 2 8 0 21 29 5 55 Vertebrate Fauna Survey

Hedland HBI Project – Boodarie Site‐ Flora Vegetation and Vertebrate Mattiske 1994 Level 2 12 0 10 69 26 105 Fauna Survey

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3.2 LIMITATIONS INFLUENCING THE 2011 SURVEY It is important to note the limitations that affect the outcomes of individual surveys. These are often difficult to predict, as is the extent to which they influence survey outcomes. There were no constraints to the 2011 survey as all areas were accessible, the survey was completed by experienced staff and timing and weather was appropriate. Survey limitations are detailed below in Table 5.

Table 5: Limitations Associated with the 2011 Survey

Variable Impact on Survey Outcomes

Access All of the study area was accessible and surveyed to the appropriate level.

Experience levels The scientists who undertook this survey were practitioners suitably qualified in their respective fields.

 Field Staff: Glen Murray (Senior Zoologist) and John Trainer (Zoologist)

 Data Interpretation and Reporting: John Trainer

Timing, weather, The rainfall for the six months preceding the survey was above average season with 507.8 mm recorded (January to June 2011) compared to the long term average of 274.7 mm for the same period (BOM 2011). Seasonal conditions were considered to be optimal with small pockets of standing water present.

The mean daily maximum temperature for the survey period was 27.3oC and mean overnight temperature was 14.5oC (BoM 2011).

The weather conditions during the survey did not limit the survey outcomes and would not have impacted the occurrence of conservation significant fauna.

Scope: sampling A Level 1 survey was undertaken, along with a review of all previous methods/ fauna surveys conducted in the area. All conservation significant species intensity previously recorded in the area have been considered and searched for during the field survey. Based on the habitats present, those species deemed to potentially occur in the study area have been addressed in this report and are discussed in Section 3.6.

Disturbance No disturbances affected the outcomes of the survey.

Sources of At the bioregion level, the Pilbara has been relatively well studied in information recent years. Numerous flora and fauna surveys have been undertaken in the vicinity of the study area as part of environmental impact assessment processes.

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Variable Impact on Survey Outcomes

Completeness A complete Level 1 Fauna survey was undertaken in the study area. All conservation significant species deemed to potentially occur in the study area have been addressed.

3.3 FAUNA HABITATS Five major fauna habitat types were identified within the study area: Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats, Mangroves, Riverine and Sandplain. These major habitats cover over 75% of the study area. Five minor habitats were also indentified: Billabong, Low Hill, Granite Tor, Quartz Hill, Rockpile and Quarry.

Habitats were sampled by conducting habitat assessments, the details of which are located in Appendix C. The area of each habitat type in the study area and its habitat value are listed in Table 6 and are illustrated in Figure 3.

The study area contains areas that have been disturbed or developed (Disturbed /Infrastructure); these areas provide little to no habitat value and principally comprise infrastructure, rail lines, roads and tracks. The boundary of the study area encompasses sections of ocean which does not constitute terrestrial fauna habitat; as a result it was not assessed in this survey.

Table 6: Habitat Types of the Study Area

Habitat Type Area (Ha) Habitat Value

Beach/Dunal 585.6 High Tidal Flats 3681.1 High Mangroves 3238.4 High Riverine 1289.1 High Sandplain 54943 Moderate Billabong 2.4 High Low Hill 61.2 Moderate Granite Tor 5.2 High Quartz Outcrop 1.7 Low Rockpile 0.9 High Disturbed/Infrastructure 7404.7 Low Ocean 9660.7 N/A Total 80874.0

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3.3.1 Major Habitats

Habitat Type: Mangrove

Habitat Rating: High Habitat Assessments: HA02, HA04, HA12 Area: 3,238.4 Ha

Description Like the Tidal Flats, Mangrove habitat type is dominated by the tides and is in a constant transition between marine and terrestrial habitats. It differs from the Tidal Flats by the fact that it is dominated by thick groves of Mangrove trees. The vegetation of this habitat type is characterised by high closed Rhizophora stylosa and Avicennia marina shrubland. The Mangrove trees create a range of microhabitats in the form of tree hollows and foliage for birds to forage, roost and nest in. The Mangroves supports a unique faunal assemblage of Mangrove specialists such as the Mangrove Golden Whistler (Pachycephala melanura) and Mangrove Grey Fantail (Rhipidura phasiana).

Conservation Significant Fauna The Mangroves provide refuge and roost sites and in less dense areas foraging opportunities for shorebirds including those classified as Migratory under the EPBC Act. The DEC listed Priority 1 Little Northern Freetail‐bat is a mangrove specialist that is likely to roost and forage in this habitat type.

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation: Mangrove

Landform Description Soil Attributes: Brown mud Litter Cover: ‐% Logs, ‐% Twigs and ‐% Leaves Disturbances: 4WD tracks and rubbish

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Habitat Type: Beach/Dunal

Habitat Rating: High Habitat Assessments: HA03, HA13, HA14 Area: 585.6 Ha

Description The Beach/Dunal habitat type is the buffer zone that exists between the sea and land. The vegetation of this habitat type is characterised by scattered Acacia bivenosa shrubs over *Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) open tussock grassland. Given the large tides experienced in the Port Hedland region this habitat type is in continual change. Above the high tide mark limestone outcrops and sand dunes provide roost and nest locations for marine and shorebirds.

Conservation Significant Fauna At low tide the exposed reef platforms and sand/mudflats provide an important foraging resource for many shorebirds including those classified as Migratory under the EPBC Act. The sandy beaches of Port Hedland provide known nest sites for marine turtles (DEC 2011c); however, the assessment of these is outside of the scope of this survey.

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation: Dunes A, B, C and D

Landform Description Soil Attributes: White sand with sandstone and limestone outcropping Litter Cover: ‐% Logs, ‐% Twigs and ‐% Leaves Disturbances: 4WD tracks and rubbish

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Habitat Type: Riverine

Habitat Rating: High Habitat Assessments: HA01, HA05, HA08 Area: 1,289.1 Ha

Description The two major Riverine habitats of the study area are located along the western and eastern boundaries and are called the Turner and Beebingarra rivers respectively. The vegetation of this habitat type is characterised by low open Eucalyptus victrix woodland over a high open Melaleuca ‐ Acacia shrubland over open Triodia epactia hummock grassland. A large diversity of microhabitats are present in this habitat and include tree hollows, logs, leaf litter, thick vegetation and soft soil suitable for digging and burrowing fauna. Isolated areas of surface water were still present during the survey providing an important water source for the local fauna and shorebirds including those classified as Migratory under the EPBC Act. This habitat type contains mature eucalypt trees that are larger than other trees in the surrounding plains. These trees that line the watercourses most likely function as wildlife corridors. In particular, birds, bats, large mammals (such as the Euro Macropus robustus) and wide‐ranging reptiles (such as snakes and goannas) are likely to use these drainage lines as a corridor for dispersal. Taking into consideration these factors, this habitat type is considered to be of High habitat value.

Conservation Significant Fauna Conservation significant fauna likely to forage in this habitat type include the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Rainbow Bee‐eater, Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) and Ghost Bat.

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation: Major Drainage Line A, B, C, D and E

Landform Description Soil Attributes: Cream and red coarse sand Litter Cover: <1% Logs, <1% Twigs and 5‐10% Leaves Disturbances: 4WD tracks, cattle, bridge and rubbish

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Habitat Type: Sandplain

Habitat Rating: Moderate Habitat Assessments: HA09, HA10, HA15 Area: 54,943 Ha

Description The Sandplain habitat type dominates the majority of the study area. The vegetation structure consists of a Low Acacia shrublands over Triodia hummock grasslands. A moderate diversity of microhabitats was present and includes shrubs, grass hummocks and leaf litter. In addition, the soils were suitable for digging and burrowing animals. Due to the microhabitat diversity and the number of conservation significant species this habitat may support, it has been classified as having Moderate habitat value.

Conservation Significant Fauna Conservation significant fauna likely to utilise this habitat type included the Woma, Rainbow Bee‐ Eater, Australian Bustard and Bush Stone‐curlew.

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation: Sandplain A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R and S

Landform Description Soil Attributes: red sand Litter Cover: ‐% Logs, 1% Twigs and 1‐5% Leaves Disturbances: 4WD tracks and rubbish

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Habitat Type: Tidal Flats

Habitat Rating: High Habitat Assessments: HA06, HA07, HA11 Area: 3,681.1 Ha

Description The Tidal Flats is dominated by the tides and is in constant transition between marine and terrestrial habitats. At high tide most of the habitat type is inundated with seawater, however some areas of mudflats remain dry until the highest tides. The vegetation of this habitat type is characterised by scattered Avicennia marina shrubs over a low open Tecticornia spp. shrubland. The Tidal Flats have a distinct lack of vegetation and associated microhabitats, however due to the importance of this habitat type as a foraging resource for Migratory waders it is classified as having High habitat value.

Conservation Significant Fauna At low tide large areas of mudflats are exposed and provide important foraging and roosting sites for shorebirds including those classified as Migratory under the EPBC Act.

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation: Samphire A and B

Landform Description Soil Attributes: Brown mud Litter Cover: ‐% Logs, ‐% Twigs and ‐% Leaves Disturbances: 4WD tracks

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3.3.2 Minor Habitats The Minor habitats Billabong, Low Hill, Granite Tor, Rockpile and Quartz Hill have been mapped in Figure 4. However the Quartz Hills, Rockpiles and Quarry have been mapped as location points only, as they were too small to accurately portray the extent of habitats on a map of that scale.

Habitat Type: Billabong

Habitat Rating: High Habitat Assessments: HA18 Area: 2.4 Ha

Description A single Billabong, known as Coolarin Pool, was located in the study area. At the time of the survey Coolarin Pool contained surface water and was an important source of water for local fauna including many waterbirds.

Conservation Significant Fauna Billabongs provide important foraging and roosting sites for several species of birds including those classified as Migratory under the EPBC Act.

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation:

Landform Description Soil Attributes: Granite bedrock Litter Cover: ‐% Logs, ‐% Twigs and ‐% Leaves Disturbances: None

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Habitat Type: Low Hill

Habitat Rating: Moderate Habitat Assessments: HA16 Area: 61.2 Ha

Description The Port Hedland region is dominated by flat and sandy terrain; however to the south of the study area isolated rocky hills are located. The Low Hills provide small pockets of habitat for rock dwelling species, in particular reptile species such as Gehyra punctata and Egernia depressa.

Conservation Significant Fauna Low hills provide suitable habitat for the priority listed Western Pebble‐mouse.

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation:

Landform Description Soil Attributes: Red sandy loam Litter Cover: ‐% Logs, 1% Twigs and ‐% Leaves Disturbances: Tracks

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Habitat Type: Granite Tor /Rockpile

Habitat Rating: High Habitat Assessments: HA17 Area: 6.1 Ha

Description Like the Low Hills these habitat features are isolated stony habitats in areas dominated by flat sandy terrain. As such they provide small pockets of habitat for rock dwelling reptile species such as Gehyra punctata and Egernia depressa.

Conservation Significant Fauna The Granite Torrs and Rockpile provide many caverns and potential den sites for the Endangered Northern Quoll.

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation:

Landform Description Soil Attributes: Granite Litter Cover: ‐% Logs, ‐% Twigs and ‐% Leaves Disturbances: None

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Habitat Type: Quartz Hill

Habitat Rating: Low Habitat Assessments: HA19 Area: 1.7 Ha

Description The Port Hedland region is dominated by flat and sandy terrain with isolated quartz hills. The quartz hills provide small pockets of habitat for rock dwelling species, in particular reptile species such as Gehyra punctata and Egernia depressa.

Conservation Significant Fauna The low quartz hills do not provide suitable habitat for the priority listed Western Pebble‐mouse.

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation:

Landform Description Soil Attributes: Quartz rock Litter Cover: ‐% Logs, ‐% Twigs and ‐% Leaves Disturbances: None

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Habitat Type: Quarry 1

Habitat Rating: Low Habitat Assessments: ‐ Area: ‐

Description Although it is not a natural habitat feature, the abandoned granite quarry has a moderate sized pool of water and large boulders that provide habitat for a variety for fauna including the Northern Quoll.

Conservation Significant Fauna Northern Quolls have been previously recorded on this site (ecologia 2008b and Biologic 2010).

Corresponding Broad Floristic Formation:

Landform Description Soil Attributes: ‐ Litter Cover: ‐% Logs, ‐% Twigs and ‐% Leaves Disturbances: Former quarry

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3.4 FAUNA RECORDED DURING THE 2011 SURVEY During the 2011 survey, a total of 108 vertebrate fauna species was recorded which included two amphibian, 20 reptile, 79 bird, and seven mammal species. Species recorded are listed in Appendix B.

3.4.1 Amphibians Two species of amphibian, the Desert Tree Frog (Litoria rubella) and the Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) were recorded during the survey. The Green Tree Frog has not been previously recorded in the vicinity of the study area.

3.4.2 Reptiles A total of 20 species of reptile were recorded during the present survey with one species, the Mosaic Desert Skink (Eremiascincus musivus), not previously recorded in the results of the database search. However this species has been recorded in the study area as part of its recent taxonomic division (Mecke et al. 2009).

Gehyra geckos recorded in rocky habitats in the study area all shared the same morphological traits, such as, the same number of subdigital lamellae and shape of the rostral scale. Two individuals from separate locations were collected as specimens and sent to the Western Australian Museum. These were subsequently identified as Gehyra punctata, a common and morphologically similar species to Gehyra nana. Gehyra nana is typically found in the Kimberley and has been recorded once in the vicinity of the study area (Mattiske 1994).

3.4.3 Birds The current survey recorded 79 bird species. The most speciose families recorded during the survey were Accipitridae (Kites, Hawks and Eagles) with eight species, followed by Ardeidae (Herons and Bitterns) and Columbidae (Doves and Pigeons) each with five species. One bird, the Banded Lapwing (Vanellus tricolor) was recorded during the survey but has not previously been recorded within or in the vicinity of the study area.

3.4.4 Mammals Seven mammal species were recorded in the study area during this survey: Gould’s Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus gouldii), Little Broad‐nosed Bat (Scotorepens greyii), Finlayson’s Cave Bat (Vespadelus finlaysoni), Yellow‐bellied Sheathtail‐bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris), Common Sheathtail‐bat (Taphozous georgianus), Wild Dog (*Canis lupus familiaris) and Feral Cat (*Felis catus).

3.5 COMBINED PORT HEDLAND FAUNA ASSEMBLAGES

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Fauna assemblages in the study area have been compiled from surveys conducted within and surrounding the study area, NatureMap (DEC 2011a), records from DEC threatened fauna database searches (DEC 2011b) and the DSEWPaC Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC 2011b), and the results of the recent 2011 survey (see Appendix B).

A total of 316 species have been recorded within and in the vicinity of the study area. This includes 11 amphibian, 74 reptile, 189 bird and 42 mammal species.

3.5.1 Amphibians Eleven species of amphibians have been recorded from all surveys (Appendix B1). Of these, ten had been previously recorded in surveys conducted in the area with one additional species added during the current survey (Green Tree Frog Litoria caerulea). Common species of amphibian that occur in the area include the Desert Spadefoot (Notaden nichollsi) and the Main’s Frog (Cyclorana maini). The Desert Spadefoot and Main’s Frog are burrowing frogs and may be found in the Sandplain and Riverine habitat types, emerging after significant rain events (Cogger 2000, Wilson and Swan 2010).

3.5.2 Reptiles A total of 74 species of reptiles have been recorded in the vicinity of the study area (Appendix B2). Seventy three of these were recorded previously and one new species, the Mosaic Desert Skink was recorded in the current survey.

Common dragons that occur based on the fauna database review include the Long‐ nosed Water Dragon (Amphibolurus longirostris) and Central Military Dragon (Ctenophorus isolepis isolepis). Common geckos include the Spotted Dtella (Gehyra punctata) and Fat‐tailed Gecko (Diplodactylus conspicillatus). Common skinks that occur include the Leopard Ctenotus (Ctenotus pantherinus ocellifer), Rock Ctenotus (Ctenotus saxatilis) and Lerista bipes. Common snakes that occur include the Black‐headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus), Gwadar (Pseudonaja mengdeni) and the blind snake Ramphotyphlops ammodytes.

The Flowerpot Snake (*Ramphotyphlops braminus) is the only introduced reptile recorded in the general vicinity of the study area.

3.5.3 Birds A total of 189 species of birds have been recorded within or in the vicinity of the study area (Appendix B3). Of these, 188 have been recorded previously with one additional species (Banded Lapwing) identified during the 2011 survey. The study area and general vicinity are particularly rich in waterbirds with a total of 83 species listed (Appendix B3). This includes 41 shorebirds (29 species listed as migratory

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by EPBC), 31 typical waterbirds (four migratory species) and 11 coastal seabird species (five migratory species).

Common raptors that occur include the Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) and Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus). Common parrots occur include the Galah (Cacatua roseicapilla) and Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea). Common nocturnal birds that occur in the study area include the Spotted Nightjar and Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides).

Common small passerines occur include the Variegated Fairy‐wren (Malurus lamberti), White‐winged Fairy‐wren (Malurus leucopterus), Magpie‐lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) and Singing Bushlark (Mirafra javanica). Common honeyeaters that occur include Singing Honeyeater (Lichenostomus virescens), White‐ plumed Honeyeater (Lichenostomus penicillatus) and Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta).

Other common birds that occur in the study area include the Spinifex Bird (Eremiornis carteri), Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Torresian Crow (Corvus orru) and Black‐ faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus).

Two introduced birds have previously been recorded in the general vicinity of the study area: Domestic Pigeon (*Columba livia) and Eurasian Tree Sparrow (*Passer montanus).

3.5.4 Mammals A total of 42 mammal species have been recorded within and in the vicinity of the study area (Appendix B4). No new species were identified during the current survey. The Little Red Kaluta (Dasykaluta rosamondae) and the Euro (Macropus robustus) are the most common marsupials that are expected to occur. Common rodents expected to occur include the Spinifex Hopping‐mouse (Notomys alexis) and Sandy Inland Mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis). Common bats expected to occur include the Gould’s Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) and the Little Broad‐nosed Bat (Scotorepens greyii).

A total of ten introduced mammals have previously been recorded in the general vicinity of the study area: the House Mouse (*Mus musculus), European Rabbit (*Oryctolagus cuniculus), Wild Dog (Note that this taxon is not counted in the species tally, as it is included with Dingo Canis lupus dingo), Fox (*Vulpes vulpes), Feral Cat, Horse (*Equus caballus), Camel (*Camelus dromedarius), Pig (*Sus scrofa), European Cattle (*Bos taurus) and Sheep (*Ovis aries).

3.6 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA A total of 61 conservation significant species were considered to potentially occur in the study area. Of these 61 potentially occurring conservation significant species, 38 have been recorded in the study area during either this 2011 survey or previous surveys

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(Appendix E). This includes 33 birds, three mammals and two reptiles. A total of 16 species of conservation significance were recorded during the 2011 survey, consisting of one reptile and 15 birds (Figure 5a‐b and 6a‐b). A summary of the ecology and habitat requirements of these 33 recorded conservation significant species is described in Table 7.

Of the remaining 24 potentially occurring conservation significant species, 17 species were assessed as ‘Likely’ to occur, four species were considered as ‘Possible’ to occur, two species were considered ‘Unlikely’ to occur and one species was considered ‘Highly Unlikely’ to occur. The ecology and habitat requirements for each of these 24 potentially occurring species are detailed in Table 8. The likelihood of a species occurrence was determined based upon habitats present in the study area and the ecological requirements of the species in question.

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Table 7: Conservation Significant Fauna Recorded in the Study Area

Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance

REPTILES Gehyra nana inhabits rocky outcrops The rocky minor habitat types such as the Granite and ranges in the north of Australia Outcrop, Rockpile and Quarry provides suitable from the Kimberley to Cape York habitat for this species. The study area is outside Peninsula. This species was recorded Gehyra nana Locally Significant of this species known distribution and there have in the Port Hedland region in the been no subsequent records of this species in the Boodarie survey (Mattiske 1994) and Port Hedland region since the original record in there is some taxonomic uncertainty 1994 (Mattiske 1994). with this species in the Pilbara. The Sandplain habitat of the study area provides The Woma inhabits spinifex within ideal habitat for this species as it contains a thick woodlands, heaths and shrublands. It ground cover of spinifex. This species was occurs in the subhumid and arid areas recorded during this survey in the Sandplain across Australia’s interior with a habitat and has been previously recorded nearby Woma separate sub‐population occurring in S4, EN (IUCN Redlist) (Approximately 3 km away) in the same habitat (Aspidites ramsayi) the Wheatbelt and Goldfields of type during the Outer Harbour Development Western Australia (Wilson and Swan survey (ENV.Australia 2009). Two recent records of 2010). The Woma shelters in hollow the Woma exist from adjacent areas, from Indee logs, animal burrows or thick (20 km south) and Pippingarra (5 km east) (DEC vegetation (Cogger 2000). 2011b). BIRDS The Lesser Frigatebird occurs in coastal areas of northern Western This species is predominantly pelagic and no Australia and extends south to the breeding records exist for the Port Hedland region. Dampier Archipelago (Johnstone and Lesser Frigatebird As such this species is likely to be restricted to the Mi,S3 Storr 1998). This species breeds on the (Fregata ariel) Beach/Dunal habitat type. The Lesser Frigatebird tropical islands to the north of has been previously recorded in the study area Western Australia and is a regular (ENV.Australia 2009). visitor during Summer‐ Autumn (Pizzey and Knight 2007).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance The Cattle Egret occurs in the wetter parts of Western Australia, in particular the Kimberley and the south‐west. The species inhabits The Cattle Egret was recorded in the Tidal Flats of pastures, garbage tips, crops, the study area during the 2011 survey, however, Cattle Egret wetlands, tidal flats and drains (Pizzey this is not the typical habitat for this species. The Mi,S3 (Ardea ibis) and Knight 2007). This species also In Sandplain habitat type particularly during the Western Australia it is an irregular wetter months when standing water is present visitor, occurring mostly in autumn, provides suitable habitat for this species. and is not thought to breed regularly in Western Australia (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The Eastern Great Egret occurs in the Kimberley, Pilbara, and on the west coast from the Murchison River south, throughout the south‐west, and east to Cape Arid in WA. It inhabits mostly The Riverine, Mangrove and Tidal Flats of the shallow fresh lakes, pools in rivers, study area provide suitable foraging habitat for lagoons, lignum swamps, clay pans this species. The Eastern Great Egret has been Eastern Great Egret Mi,S3 and samphire flats, large dams and previously recorded in the vicinity of the study (Ardea modesta) sewage ponds. It also inhabits shallow area (DEC 2011a and ENV.Australia 2009) and was saltwater habitat such as mangrove recorded foraging in a small pool of water in the creeks, tidal pools, samphire swamps Riverine habitat during the 2011 survey. and salt work ponds. It breeds colonially at wooded swamps and river pools, nesting in various riparian trees (Johnstone and Storr 1998)

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance The Eastern Reef Egret occurs in coastal areas along the entire West Australian coast, although it is more The Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats and Mangroves common in the warmer regions to the provide suitable habitat for this species. The Eastern Reef Egret north. The species inhabits beaches, Eastern Reef Egret has been previously recorded in Mi,S3 (Egretta sacra) rocky shores, tidal rivers and inlets, the vicinity of the study area (DEC 2011a and mangroves, and exposed coral reefs. ENV.Australia 2009) and was recorded foraging in Although it is listed as migratory, the the Tidal Flats during the 2011 survey. Eastern Reef Egret is largely sedentary in nature (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The White‐bellied Sea‐eagle is distributed along the coast, islands and estuaries of WA but not the lower The Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats, Riverine and west and south‐west or far east Mangroves the survey area provides suitable (Johnstone and Storr 1998). They feed habitat for this species. The White‐bellied Sea‐ on fish, sea snakes and nesting eagle has been previously recorded in the vicinity White‐bellied Sea‐eagle Mi,S3 seabirds. White‐bellied Sea‐ Eagles are of the study area (DEC 2011a, ENV.Australia 2009 (Haliaeetus leucogaster) known to breed almost wholly on and Mattiske 1994) and was recorded foraging islands or near coastal areas over the Tidal Flats and Mangrove habitats during (Johnstone and Storr 1998). Nests are the 2011 survey. No nesting habitat is present usually placed on high ground such as within the study area. rock pinnacles, rigid shrubs or in tall trees (Simpson and Day 2004). The Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats, Riverine and The Eastern Osprey is distributed Mangroves the survey area provides suitable along the coast, islands and lower habitat for this species. The Eastern Osprey has river courses of Western Australia. been previously recorded in the vicinity of the Eastern Osprey They feed on fish and other marine study area (DEC 2011a, ENV.Australia 2008, 2009 Mi,S3 (Pandion haliaetus) animals (Johnstone and Storr 1998). and Mattiske 1994) and was recorded in the They nest in trees, cliffs and Beach/Dunal habitat during the 2011 survey. This sometimes structures such as radio species has been observed nesting in lighting towers, often close to the water. towers within the vicinity of the Port Headland townsite.

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance The Australian Bustard is typically widespread and nomadic, but locally scarce. This species is distributed across most of Western Australia, The Sandplain habitat of the study area provides although is most prevalent in ideal habitat for this species. The Australian grasslands, especially tussock grasses, Bustard has been previously recorded in the Australian Bustard arid scrub and dry open woodlands P4 vicinity of the study area (DEC 2011a and b, (Ardeotis australis) (Ziembicki 2010). The abundance of Biologic 2010, ENV.Australia 2009, Biota 2006 and this species varies according to habitat Mattiske 1994) and footprints were recorded in and season, in particular with the the Sandplain habitat during the current survey. abundance of grasshoppers. Habitat loss has led to a decline in this species in the Pilbara (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The Bush Stone‐curlew inhabits dry open woodlands with groundcover of small sparse shrubs, grass or litter of The Riverine, Sandplain habitat, particularly that twigs. It tends to avoid dense forest, around the Riverine habitat and Coolarin Pool closed‐canopy habitats (Morcombe provides ideal habitat for this species. The Bush Bush Stone‐curlew 2000). The species generally occurs P4 Stone‐curlew has been previously recorded in the (Burhinus grallarius) near a watercourse or swamp (Geering vicinity of the study area (DEC 2011b and Biologic et al. 2007). Bush Stone‐curlews are 2010) and a roadkill individual was recorded in the locally rare because of predation by Sandplain habitat during the current survey. foxes ‐ the main cause of their regional decline (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The Greater Sand Plover is a summer The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats habitat provides non‐breeding migratory shorebird that ideal habitat for this species. The Greater Sand Greater Sand Plover is common on the north and west Mi,S3 Plover has been previously recorded within and in (Charadrius leschenaultii) coast of Western Australia. It inhabits the vicinity of the study area (DEC 2011a, exposed sand and mud flats (Geering ENV.Australia 2009 and Mattiske 1994). et al. 2007).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance The Lesser Sand Plover is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats habitat provides occurs on the north and west coast of ideal habitat for this species. The Lesser Sand Lesser Sand Plover Western Australia, but rarely south of Mi,S3 Plover has been previously recorded within and in (Charadrius mongolus) Shark Bay. It inhabits exposed sand the vicinity of the study area (DEC 2011a and and mud flats and often intermingles ENV.Australia 2009). with flocks of the Greater Sand Plover (Geering et al. 2007). The Grey Plover is a common summer migrant that inhabits coastal areas, The Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats and Riverine habitat preferring marine shores of estuaries particularly towards the mouth of the river, or lagoons on broad open mudflats, provides suitable habitat for this species. The Grey Grey Plover sandy bars or beaches and rocky Mi,S3 Plover has been previously recorded in the vicinity (Pluvialis squatarola) coasts as well as coastal salt lakes and of the study area (DEC 2011a, ENV.Australia 2009 swamps (Morcombe 2000). They and Mattiske 1994) and was recorded in the Tidal occasionally are found in drying Flats habitat during the 2011 survey. freshwater lakes (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The Oriental Plover occurs in the Kimberley and in the north‐eastern interior at Lake Gregory and on the north‐west coastal plains (Johnstone The Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats and Sandplain habitat and Storr 1998). It is found on sparsely provide suitable habitat for this species. The Oriental Plover Mi,S3 vegetated plains including Samphire, Oriental Plover has been previously recorded in (Charadrius veredus) Spinifex plains (particularly after fire), the study area (Biologic 2010, ecologia 2008a, as well as beaches and tidal flats ENV.Australia 2009 and Mattiske 1994). (Johnstone and Storr 1998). This species often feeds on insects (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance The Common Sandpiper occurs along the coast of Western Australia and in much of the interior. It inhabits sheltered salt and fresh waters such as estuaries, mangrove creeks, rocky coasts, salt lakes, river pools, lagoons, The Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats, Mangrove and claypans, drying swamps, flood Riverine habitats provides suitable habitat for this Common Sandpiper waters, dams and sewage ponds Mi,S3 species. The Common Sandpiper has been (Actitis hypoleucos) (Johnstone and Storr 1998). It previously recorded in the study area (DEC 2011a, occasionally occurs inland in a variety ENV.Australia 2009 and Mattiske 1994). of wetlands (Geering et al. 2007). The species is a non‐breeding migrant to Western Australia occurring at any time of year, but mostly September to March in the south‐west (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The Ruddy Turnstone is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs on the coast of the north‐west The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats habitat provides and west coast from Beagle Bay to suitable habitat for this species. The Ruddy Ruddy Turnstone Shark Bay (Johnstone and Storr 1998). Turnstone has been previously recorded in the Mi,S3 (Arenaria interpres) It occurs primarily on rocky coasts and vicinity of the study area (DEC 2011a and rocky reefs, as well as tidal mudflats ENV.Australia 2009) and was recorded in the Tidal and beaches and pebbly shores of Flats habitat during the 2011 survey. near‐coastal salt lakes and salt‐work ponds (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The Red Knot is a summer non‐ breeding migratory shorebird that The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats habitat provides occurs along most of the coast of Red Knot suitable habitat for this species. The Red Knot has Mi,S3 Western Australia (Johnstone and (Calidris canutus) been previously recorded in the study area (DEC Storr 1998). It inhabits larger inter‐ 2011a and ENV.Australia 2009). tidal mud and sand flats (Geering et al. 2007).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance The Curlew Sandpiper is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that The Tidal Flats habitat provides suitable habitat for occurs along most of the coast of Curlew Sandpiper this species. The Curlew Sandpiper has been Mi,S3 Western Australia. It inhabits exposed (Calidris ferruginea) previously recorded in the study area (DEC 2011a tidal mudflats, and less frequently on and ENV.Australia 2009). inland freshwater wetlands (Geering et al. 2007). The Red‐necked Stint is a summer The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats habitat provides non‐breeding migratory shorebird that suitable habitat for this species. The Red‐necked occurs along most of the coast of Stint has been previously recorded in the vicinity Red‐necked Stint Western Australia. It inhabits a wide of the study area (DEC 2011a and ENV.Australia Mi,S3 (Calidris ruficollis) range of fresh and saltwater habitats 2009) and was recorded in the Tidal Flats habitat such as tidal mudflats, salt marshes during the current survey. The Port Hedland and sandy beaches (Pizzey and Knight Saltworks supports more than 1% of the global 2007). population of this species (Birddata 2011). The Great Knot is a summer non‐ The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats habitat provides breeding migratory shorebird that suitable habitat for this species. The Great Knot Great Knot occurs along most of the coast of Mi, S3,Vu (IUCN Redlist) has been previously recorded in the study area (Calidris tenuirostris) Western Australia. It inhabits larger (DEC 2011a, ENV.Australia 2009 and Mattiske inter‐tidal mud and sand flats (Geering 1994). et al. 2007). The Bar‐tailed Godwit a relatively The Tidal Flats habitat provides suitable habitat for common summer non‐breeding this species. The Bar‐tailed Godwit has been Bar‐tailed Godwit migratory shorebird that occurs along previously recorded in the vicinity of the study Mi,S3 (Limosa lapponica) most of the coast of Western Australia area (DEC 2011a and ENV.Australia 2009) and was and typically inhabits inter‐tidal recorded in the Tidal Flats habitat during the 2011 mudflats (Geering et al. 2007). survey.

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance The Eastern Curlew is a large non‐ breeding migratory shorebird, found commonly along the north coast of The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats habitat provides Western Australia, but rarely south of suitable habitat for this species. The Eastern Eastern Curlew Mi, S3, P4, Vu (IUCN Shark Bay. It inhabits a range of Curlew has been previously recorded in the study (Numenius madagascariensis) Redlist) coastal habitats, but primarily inter‐ area (DEC 2011a,b, Biota 2009, Biota 2008b, tidal mudflats, particularly on exposed ENV.Australia 2009 and Mattiske 1994). seagrass beds or mudflats feeding on burrowing crabs or shrimps (Geering et al. 2007). The Little Curlew is a medium sized shorebird and is typically found on short, dry grasslands. Flocks are highly The Sandplain habitat particularly around the mobile moving unpredictably Riverine habitat and the Billabong (Coolarin Pool) according to grassland conditions, Little Curlew provides suitable habitat for this species. There Mi,S3 often congregating in wetlands to (Numenius minutus) have been numerous recent records of the Little drink when conditions are hot. This Curlew from the vicinity of the study area (DEC species breeds in north‐east Siberia 2011a and Bennelongia 2011). and migrates to the sub‐coastal plains of northern Australia during summer (Geering et al. 2007). The Whimbrel is a large non‐breeding The Tidal Flats habitat provides suitable habitat for migratory shorebird, found commonly this species. The Whimbrel has been previously along the north coast of Western recorded in the vicinity of the study area (DEC Whimbrel Australia, but less commonly south of Mi,S3 2011a, Bennelongia 2011, Biota 2009, Biota 2008b, (Numenius phaeopus) Shark Bay (Geering et al. 2007). This ENV.Australia 2009 and Mattiske 1994) and was species typically inhabits mudflats of recorded in the Tidal Flats habitat during the 2011 estuaries or lagoons (Morcombe survey. 2000).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance The Grey‐tailed Tattler is a non‐ breeding migratory shorebird, The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats habitat provides common on the north and west coasts suitable habitat for this species. The Grey‐tailed Grey‐tailed Tattler of Western Australia, but rare on the Mi,S3 Tattler has been previously recorded in the study (Tringa brevipes) south coast (Geering et al. 2007). It area (DEC 2011a, Bennelongia 2011, ENV.Australia inhabits sheltered coasts with reef and 2009 and Mattiske 1994). rock platforms or with inter‐tidal mudflats (Morcombe 2000). The Wood Sandpiper is a summer non‐ breeding migratory shorebird that The Riverine habitat and the Billabong (Coolarin occurs along the coast and inland Pool) provide the fresh water wetland habitat Wood Sandpiper regions of Western Australia. It which is preferred by this species. There have been Mi,S3 (Tringa glareola) primarily inhabits shallow fresh waters numerous recent records of the Wood Sandpiper such as lagoons, swamps, claypans, from the vicinity of the study area (DEC 2011a and dams and sewerage ponds (Johnstone Bennelongia 2011). and Storr 1998). The Common Greenshank, is a non‐ breeding migratory shorebird, The Tidal Flats, Riverine habitat and Billabong common along most of the coast of (Coolarin Pool) provide the mudflats and Common Greenshank Western Australia (Geering et al. freshwater wetlands preferred by this species. The Mi,S3 (Tringa nebularia) 2007). It inhabits intertidal mudflats, Common Greenshank has been previously recorded as well as fresh and saltwater in the study area (DEC 2011a, ENV.Australia 2009 wetlands of the coast or inland and Mattiske 1994). (Geering et al. 2007). The Marsh Sandpiper is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along the coast and interior of The Riverine habitat and Billabong (Coolarin Pool) Western Australia but in the south‐ provide the freshwater wetlands preferred by this Marsh Sandpiper Mi,S3 west less frequently inland. It inhabits species. The Marsh Sandpiper has been previously (Tringa stagnatilis) freshwater or saltwater wetlands but recorded in the study area (DEC 2011a and avoids open beaches and mudflats ENV.Australia 2009). unless well protected (Geering et al. 2007). Terek Sandpiper The Terek Sandpiper is a summer non‐ The Tidal Flats particularly those situated close to Mi,S3 (Xenus cinereus) breeding migratory shorebird that the Mangroves provide suitable habitat for this

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance occurs along the north coast of species. The Terek Sandpiper has been previously Western Australia, but rarely south of recorded in the study area (DEC 2011a, Shark Bay. It inhabits exposed sea‐ ENV.Australia 2009 and Mattiske 1994). grass beds in estuaries and bays or on inter‐tidal mudflats fringed by mangroves (Geering et al. 2007). The Little Tern is distributed along the northern coast of Western Australia south to Broome. There are three sub populations that occur, two that breed The Beach/Dunal and near coastal sections of the in Australia and the third that Riverine habitat provide suitable habitat for this Little Tern Mi,S3 migrates north to breed in Asia but species. The Little Tern has been previously (Sterna albifrons) spends the spring/summer in Australia recorded in the study area (DEC 2011a, Biota 2009 (DSEWPaC 2011c). This species and ENV.Australia 2009). inhabits coastal and estuarine areas, breeding on sandy beaches and sand spits (Simpson and Day 2004). The Lesser Crested Tern is distributed along the north‐western and upper west coasts of Western Australia and The Beach/Dunal and near coastal sections of the occasionally comes as far south as Riverine habitat provide suitable habitat for this Lesser Crested Tern Shark Bay. This species inhabits mainly Mi,S3 species. The Lesser Crested Tern has been (Sterna bengalensis) blue water seas around islands or previously recorded in the study area (DEC 2011a reefs and commonly visits tidal creeks. and ENV.Australia 2009). It breeds on the many small islands found along the north‐west coast (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The Caspian Tern is distributed along The Beach/Dunal and near coastal sections of the the coast of Western Australia. It is Riverine habitat provide suitable habitat for this scarce or uncommon north of Broome species. The Caspian Tern has been previously Caspian Tern and uncommon to moderately Mi,S3 recorded in the vicinity of the study area (DEC (Sterna caspia) common further south (Johnstone and 2011a and ENV.Australia 2009) and was recorded Storr 1998). This species inhabits foraging in the Riverine habitat during the 2011 coastal areas as well as inland survey. watercourses, saline and brackish

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance lakes (Simpson and Day 2004).

The Fairy Tern is distributed along the coast of Western Australia from Port The Beach/Dunal and near coastal sections of the Hedland in the north to Albany in the Riverine habitat provide suitable habitat for this Fairy Tern south (Barrettt et al. 2003). This VU (IUCN Redlist) species. The Fairy Tern has been previously (Sterna nereis) species inhabits sheltered blue‐water recorded in the vicinity of the study area (DEC seas close to land, esturies and near 2011a and ENV.Australia 2009). coastal lakes (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The Rainbow Bee‐eater is a common and widespread species in Western Australia, except in the drier interior The Riverine and Sandplain habitat of the study of the State and the far south‐west. It area provides ideal habitat for this species. The occurs in lightly wooded, often sandy Rainbow Bee‐eater has been previously recorded Rainbow Bee‐eater country, preferring areas near water. in the vicinity of the study area (Biologic 2010, Mi,S3 (Merops ornatus) The Rainbow Bee‐eater feeds on Biota 2009, ecologia 2008a, ENV.Australia 2008, airborne insects, and nests throughout 2009 and Mattiske 1994) and was recorded in the its range in burrows excavated in Riverine and Sandplain habitat during the current sandy ground or banks, often at the survey. margins of roads and tracks (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The western subspecies of the Star Finch is confined to the Pilbara region of WA (Pizzey and Knight 2007). The species occurs in grasslands with The Riverine, Sandplains particularly those around sparse vegetation, and feeds mainly the Riverine habitat and the Billabong (Coolarin Star Finch (Western) on grass seeds and some small insects Pool) provide suitable habitat for this species. (Neochmia ruficauda P4 (Johnstone and Storr 2004). Like most There have been numerous recent records of the subclarescens) finches this species needs regular Star Finch from the vicinity of the study area (DEC water, so is likely to occur near 2011a and Bennelongia 2011). permanent water for most of the season then disperse out to a wider area during and after the wet season when ephemeral pools have water.

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance

MAMMALS The Northern Quoll occurs mainly in areas of open eucalypt woodland within 200 km of the coast, although it has been recorded in a range of vegetation types, and is known to den in rock crevices and rock piles. It favors rocky areas, taking refuge in The Granite Tor, Rockpile and Quarry provide rock crevices, and utilises gullies and suitable den sites for this species. The Riverine and drainage lines (van Dyck and Strahan Sandplain habitats provide suitable foraging 2008). The Northern Quoll may be habitat. The Northern Quoll has been recently locally common, but its former range recorded throughout the study area (DEC 2011a,b, Northern Quoll EN, EN (IUCN Redlist), has retracted considerably (van Dyck Biologic 2010 and ecologia 2008b and 2009). A (Dasyurus hallucatus) S1 and Strahan 2008). The Northern Quoll total of 227 Northern Quoll individuals have been also has a relatively large home range recorded in the vicinity of Pippingarra over the with males in the Northern Territory past three years (DEC 2011b). Possible Northern utilizing areas of up to 153 ha, Quoll scats were recorded in three locations during however this likely to be an the current survey. underestimate (Oakwood 2002). The maximum distances recorded for movement between successive dens on successive days is 1.85 km for a male and 1.21km for a female (Oakwood 2002). The Little Northern Freetail‐bat inhabits mangrove communities, roosting in crevices and sprouts of the The Mangroves and the surrounding Tidal Flats dead upper branches of the mangrove Little Northern Freetail‐bat provide suitable habitat for this species. The Little Avicennia marina (van Dyck and (Mormopterus loriae P1 Northern Freetail‐bat has been recently recorded Strahan 2008). The genus for this cobourgensis) in the study area (DEC 2011a and b, Biota 2006 and species is in the process of being ENV.Australia 2009). renamed in a recent taxonomic review of molossids by Terry Reardon, which has shown the genus Mormopterus

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance does not occur in Australia (Churchill 2008). The Western Pebble‐mouse is restricted to the Pilbara, where it is recognized as an endemic species. Abandoned mounds to the east of its current range indicate a decline in The Low Hills situated to the south of the study distribution (Menkhorst and Knight area provide small pockets of suitable habitat for 2004). Abandoned mounds in this species. Active pebble‐mounds were recorded disturbed areas suggest that the Western Pebble‐mouse during the Mooka Siding survey (Biologic 2010) P4 species is under threat by grazing and (Pseudomys chapmani) which was located both inside and outside of the mining activities. The construction of study area (Figure 5). Numerous recent records extensive pebble mounds, built from exist for the Western Pebble‐mouse in the vicinity small stones, which typically cover of the study area (DEC 2011a,b). areas from 0.5‐9.0 square metres, is characteristic of this species. Mounds are restricted to suitable‐class stones, and are usually found on gentle slopes and spurs.

KEY: EN Listed as Endangered under the EBPC Act 1999. VU Listed as Vulnerable under the EBPC Act 1999. Mi Listed as Migratory under the EBPC Act 1999. S Scheduled under the WC Act 1950. Schedule 1, 2 and 3 fauna are also protected by the EBPC Act 1999. EN Endangered under the IUCN Redlist VU Vulnerable under the IUCN Redlist NT Near Threatened under the IUCN Redlist LC Least Concern under the IUCN Redlist P Listed as Priority by the DEC.

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Table 8: Conservation Significant Fauna Potentially Occurring in the Study Area

Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance Likelihood

BIRDS The Flock Bronzewing is highly nomadic, and is found in open woodland and treeless grass plains (Simpson and Day 2004). This The Sandplain habitat of the study species of pigeon is highly area provides suitable habitat for this gregarious, usually feeding and species, however there have been no Flock Bronzewing drinking in large flocks of many P4 previous records of this species from Possible (Phaps histrionica) thousands. The Flock Bronzewing has the vicinity of the study area. The a very patchy distribution through closest record of this species is from northern Australia, and its more than 70 km away (DEC 2011a). abundance appears to be in decline due to the degradation of grasslands by introduced livestock (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The Fork‐tailed Swift is a summer As this species forages high (above migrant (October‐April) to Australia. the canopy) it is reasonably This species is an aerial species, independent of the habitats within which forages high above the tree the study area. This species will only canopy and rarely lower, so is less be found flying over the study area Fork‐tailed Swift Mi,S3 affected by localized ground on an infrequent basis particularly in Likely (Apus pacificus) disturbance. It usually occurs in November for the Pilbara (Johnstone flocks of up to 2000 and is often and Storr 1998). There have been seen accompanying Tree Martins and numerous recent records of this Masked Woodswallows (Johnstone species from the vicinity of the study and Storr 1998). area (DEC 2011a). The Grey Falcon is distributed across The Sandplain and Riverine habitats Grey Falcon the northern half of the state and of the study area provide suitable P4 Likely (Falco hypoleucos) rarely extends further south than habitat for the Grey Falcon. The Grey the Gascoyne and Warburton areas Falcon has been previously recorded

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance Likelihood (Johnstone and Storr 1998). This at Yule River, Mundabullangana in species is considered scarce to rare 2000 approximately 30 km west of and is usually found singularly or the study area (DEC 2011b). sometimes in pairs. It occurs in a range of habitats from lightly wooded coastal areas to riverine plains. Grey Falcons do not build their own nests when breeding, and therefore are less prone to site fidelity than other raptor species, although they may remain faithful to a home range for several years (Johnstone and Storr 1998). They are a difficult species to study, having a strongly transient nature. The rock faces located in the granite The Peregrine Falcon is uncommon quarry may provide suitable nest but wide‐ranging across Australia. sites for this species, although none They occur mainly along coastal were observed during the current cliffs, rivers and ranges as well as Peregrine Falcon survey. Prey items are abundant and S4 wooded watercourses and lakes. The Likely (Falco peregrinus) this species may forage across the Peregrine Falcon nests primarily on Riverine and Sandplain habitats. cliffs, granite outcrops and quarries, There are numerous previous records and feed mostly on birds (Johnstone of this species from the vicinity of and Storr 1998). the study area (DEC 2011a,b).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance Likelihood The Pacific Golden Plover is a common summer migrant that has a widespread distribution along the West Australian coast. It inhabits salt or brackish marshes and near The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats coastal salt lakes (Johnstone and habitat provides suitable habitat for Storr 1998). This Migratory bird Pacific Golden Plover this species. The Pacific Golden Mi,S3 breeds in Siberia and Alaska and Likely (Pluvialis fulva) Plover has been recently recorded in migrates to Australian waters in the vicinity of the study area on August to April (Pizzey and Knight numerous occasions (DEC 2011a). 2007). This species requires marine waters for habitat such as beaches, mudflats and among rocky areas; sometimes inland (Simpson and Day 2004). The Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along most of The Riverine habitat and Billabong the coast of Western Australia (Coolarin Pool) provides the fresh except for the south coast, and in water wetland habitat which is Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper well‐watered parts of the interior preferred by this species. There have Mi,S3 Likely (Calidris acuminata) and casually in the arid east south of been numerous recent records of the Lake Gregory (Johnstone and Storr Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper from the 1998). It inhabits both coastal and vicinity of the study area (DEC inland areas but prefers non‐tidal 2011a). fresh or brackish wetlands (Geering et al. 2007). The Sanderling is a small compact The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats shorebird and is often found in small habitat provides suitable habitat for Sanderling to large flocks, mostly on open this species. There have been Mi,S3 Likely (Calidris alba) beaches exposed to surf. This numerous recent records of the species has also been recorded Sanderling from the vicinity of the within inter‐tidal mudflats. This study area (DEC 2011a).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance Likelihood species distinctly dashes between waves when feeding and is known at high tide to roost among beach debris (Geering et al. 2007). The Long‐toed Stint is an uncommon non‐breeding summer migratory The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats shorebird that occurs along the habitat provides suitable habitat for majority of the coast of Western Long‐toed Stint this species. The most recent record Mi,S3 Australia (Pizzey and Knight 2007). It Possible (Calidris subminuta) for Long‐toed Stint in the vicinity of inhabits the weedy margins of the study area is from more than 30 shallow wetlands ‐ coastal and years ago (DEC 2011a). inland, sewerage ponds and tidal mudflats (Pizzey and Knight 2007). The Pin‐tailed Snipe is an uncommon The Riverine habitat and Billabong migratory shorebird in Australia. (Coolarin Pool) provides the fresh This species is usually found in water wetland habitat which is Pin‐tailed Snipe Mi,S3 freshwater wetlands such as preferred by this species. The most Possible (Gallinago stenura) swamps, soaks, river pools, recent record for Pin‐tailed Snipe in floodwaters and sewerage ponds the vicinity of the study area is from (Geering et al. 2007). more than 30 years ago (DEC 2011a). The Oriental Pratincole occurs in the Kimberley and along the northern The Tidal Flats of the study area coast of Western Australia, and is a provides suitable habitat for this Oriental Pratincole summer migrant. It occurs around species. There have been numerous Mi,S3 Likely (Glareola maldivarum) tidal flats and floodwaters where it recent records of the Oriental feeds aerially on flying insects and Pratincole in the vicinity of the study roosts on bare ground (Johnstone area (DEC 2011a). and Storr 1998).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance Likelihood The Asian Dowitcher is a relatively uncommon migratory shorebird in The Tidal Flats habitat provides Western Australia. This species suitable habitat for this species. usually occurs solitarily or in very Asian Dowitcher There have been numerous recent Mi,S3 small flocks usually on intertidal Likely (Limnodromus semipalmatus) records of the Asian Dowitcher from mudflats. The Asian Dowitcher is a the vicinity of the study area (DEC large shorebird with long legs and 2011a). long straight slightly dropped bill (Geering et al. 2007). The Riverine habitat particularly at The Broad‐billed Sandpiper is a the mouth of the River and the scarce summer migrant to coastal Billabong (Coolarin Pool) provides areas through out Western Australia the estuarine/fresh water wetland Broad‐billed Sandpiper and occasionally inland areas (Pizzey Mi,S3 habitat which is preferred by this Likely (Limicola falcinellus) and Knight 2007). It inhabits species. There have been numerous estuarine flats, coastal salt lakes and recent records of the Broad‐billed drying fresh water lakes (Johnstone Sandpiper from the vicinity of the and Storr 1998). study area (DEC 2011a). The Black‐tailed Godwit is an uncommon summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along most of the coast of Western The Tidal Flats habitat provides Australia (Geering et al. 2007). It suitable habitat for this species. The Black‐tailed Godwit inhabits fresh and brackish wetlands Mi,S3 Black‐tailed Godwit has been Likely (Limosa limosa) as well as inter‐tidal mudflats previously recorded in the vicinity of (Geering et al. 2007). This Migratory the study area (DEC 2011a). bird breeds of the coast of Mongolia and Siberia. It migrates to Australian waters in September to May (Pizzey and Knight 2007).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance Likelihood The Ruff is a rare but regular visitor The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats to Australia, particularly on muddy habitat provides suitable habitat for Ruff Mi,S3 margins of freshwater and brackish this species. The Ruff has been Likely (Philomachus pugnax) swamps, lakes and salt‐works previously recorded in the vicinity of (Geering et al. 2007). the study area (DEC 2011a). The Australian Painted Snipe has a patchy distribution across Western The Riverine habitat and the Australia, inhabiting inland and Billabong (Coolarin Pool) provide the coastal shallow freshwater wetlands, fresh water wetland habitat which is Australian Painted Snipe VU, EN (IUCN including dams. Its low population preferred by this species. However Unlikely (Rostratula australis) Redlist),S1 numbers are threatened by wetland there is a lack of previous records of drainage and the diversion of water the Australian Painted Snipe from the from rivers (Johnstone and Storr vicinity of the study area. 1998). The Common Tern is a non‐breeding The Beach/Dunal, Riverine and migratory Tern that occurs regularly Billabong (Coolarin Pool) provide in northern Western Australia. It Common Tern suitable habitat for this species. The Mi,S3 primarily inhabits beaches, reefs, Likely (Sterna hirundo) Fairy Tern has been previously estuaries, sandflats, sewerage ponds recorded in the vicinity of the study and freshwater wetlands (Pizzey and area (DEC 2011a). Knight 2007). The White‐winged Black Tern is a non‐breeding migratory Tern that occurs regularly in northern Western The Beach/Dunal, Riverine and Australia and rarely in the southern Billabong (Coolarin Pool) provide half of Western Australia (Barrett et suitable habitat for this species. The White‐winged Black Tern Mi,S3 al. 2003). It inhabits coastal marine most recent record of the White‐ Possible (Chlidonias leucoptera) habitats (such as estuaries, lagoons winged Black Tern in the vicinity of and harbours) and near‐coastal the study area is from more than 25 freshwater wetlands (such as river years ago (DEC 2011a). pools, billabongs and inundated floodplains [Morcombe 2000]).

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Conservation Significant Species Conservation Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance Likelihood The Barn Swallow is a migratory species that breeds in north‐east Asia, and is a rare visitor to northern coastal northern Western Australia from September to early April (Johnstone and Storr 2004). They occur in ones or twos or in small The Tidal Flats, Riverine and flocks up to 15 (or occasionally large Billabong (Coolarin Pool) provide flocks in the 100’s) and sometimes suitable habitat for this species. Barn Swallow Mi,S3 attached to flocks of Welcome There have been numerous recent Likely (Hirundo rustica) Swallows (Johnstone and Storr records of the Barn Swallow in the 2004). They forage mainly near vicinity of the study area (DEC towns and wetlands such as sewage 2011a). and salt work ponds, river pools, swamps, tidal creeks and reservoirs (Johnstone and Storr 2004). They forage aerially on insects and nest in caves, cliffs, under bridges and in buildings (Morcombe 2000).

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Conservation Conservation Likelihoo Significant Species Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance d

MAMMALS Brush‐tailed Mulgara was previously considered to be the same species as the Crest‐tailed Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda), but a recent taxonomic The sandy substrate and spinifex of the review identified it as a separate species. The Sandplain habitat type provide ideal habitat Brush‐tailed Brush‐tailed Mulgara is listed as Priority 4 by the for this species. The Brush‐tailed Mulgara Mulgara P4 DEC, however as the EPBC Act currently does not Likely has been recently recorded from the vicinity (Dasycercus blythi) recognize this revised taxonomy, this species is of the study area in 2008 and 2009 (DEC also protected under the EPBC Act. This species is 2011a,b). found in central Western Australia in sandy regions, living in burrows (van Dyck and Strahan 2008). The Crest‐tailed Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda) is a small carnivorous marsupial, now possibly extinct in Western Australia, where the most recent confirmed records are more than 50 years old, but it may persist in other parts of central Crest‐tailed Australia. Its is uncertain because it is often Although suitable habitat exists in the study Mulgara Highly VU,S1 confused with the closely‐related Brush‐tailed area, this species is thought to be extinct in (Dasycercus Unlikely Mulgara. Its habitat is grassland (especially Western Australia. cristicauda) Spinifex), and it persists in parts of north‐western South Australia and south‐eastern Northern Territory. It is threatened by loss of habitat and competition from introduced grazers (Menkhorst and Knight 2004).

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Conservation Conservation Likelihoo Significant Species Status Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance d The Greater Bilby is confined to arid and semi arid parts of northern Australia and in Western Australia it is limited to the Great Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert and Pilbara (van Dyck and Strahan The spinifex and sandy substrate of the 2008, DSEWPaC 2011c). It is now locally extinct Sandplain habitat provides suitable habitat from the southern half of Western Australia for this species. However the most recent Greater Bilby VU, VU (IUCN (DSEWPaC 2011c). The Greater Bilby occurs in tall record for the Greater Bilby is from more Unlikely (Macrotis lagotis) Redlist),S1 shrublands and open woodlands in semi‐arid that 40 years ago (DEC 2011b) and the regions, and hummock grasslands in arid Australia current distribution does not include the (DSEWPaC 2011c). The presence of the Greater Port Hedland region (van Dyck and Strahan Bilby is characterised by its feeding habits, evident 2008). from the numerous scattered excavations up to 10 cm deep it leaves behind, from which soil has been scattered on all sides. The Ghost Bat occurs in a wide variety of habitats, The Riverine and Sanplain habitats provide and requires an undisturbed cave, deep fissure or suitable foraging habitat for this species, disused mine shaft in which to roost. It is patchily however the study area does not have any Ghost Bat Likely P4, VU (IUCN distributed across Australia, and is sensitive to deep caves/mineshafts that would provide (Macroderma (foraging Redlist) disturbance. Colonies range in size from 400‐1000 suitable roost sites. In 2009 there were a gigas) only) individuals (van Dyck and Strahan 2008). The total of 59 records of the Ghost Bat for Ghost Bat inhabits areas of open woodland Pippingarra which is approximately 5 km to (Churchill 2008). the east of the study area (DEC 2011b). The Pilbara Leaf‐nosed Bat requires deep caves or The Riverine and Sanplain habitats provide disused mine shafts in which to roost (van Dyck suitable foraging habitat for this species, and Strahan 2008), at least in the dry season. however the study area does not have any Pilbara Leaf‐nosed These bats have been recorded in isolated deep caves/mineshafts that would provide Likely Bat (Rhinonicteris VU,S1 populations in the Pilbara, and are present only suitable roost sites. In 2009 there were a (foraging aurantia) where suitable roosting niches are available. They total of four records of the Pilbara Leaf‐ only) are generally sparsely distributed. The Pilbara nosed Bat for Pippingarra which is Leaf‐nosed Bat inhabits areas of open woodland approximately 5 km to the east of the study (Churchill 2008). area (DEC 2011b).

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TABLE KEY: En Listed as Endangered under the EBPC Act 1999. Vu Listed as Vulnerable under the EBPC Act 1999. Mi Listed as Migratory under the EBPC Act 1999. S Scheduled under the WC Act 1950. Schedule 1, 2 and 3 fauna are also protected by the EBPC Act 1999. P Listed as Priority by the DEC. EN Endangered under the IUCN Redlist VU Vulnerable under the IUCN Redlist NT Near Threatened under the IUCN Redlist LC Least Concern under the IUCN Redlist Likely Suitable habitat is present in the study area and the study area is in the species’ known distribution. Limited or no suitable habitat is present in study area but is nearby. The species has good dispersal abilities and is known Possible from the general area. No suitable habitat is present in study area but is nearby, the species has poor dispersal abilities, but is known from the Unlikely general area; or suitable habitat is present, however the study area is outside of the species’ known distribution. The species has poor dispersal abilities, no suitable habitat is present, and the species is uncommon; or the species is thought Highly Unlikely to be locally extinct.

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4 DISCUSSION

4.1 FAUNA HABITATS All of the habitats recorded in the study area are located along the coastal region of the Pilbara and are typically disturbed throughout the region by cattle grazing, fire, and more locally by mining activities and associated infrastructure. Each of these habitats hosts subtly different fauna assemblages.

Habitats considered to be of High habitat value constitute approximately 10.9% of the study area. The majority of the study area (67.9%) was composed of the Moderate value Sandplain habitat.

The area of Beach/Dunal habitat constitutes 0.7% of the study area. The Beach/Dunal habitat provides important foraging and roosting locations for Migratory listed birds, especially over the summer months when the majority of waders visit Australia’s shores. During the survey the Eastern Osprey was recorded in this habitat and a total of 23 conservation significant fauna species (largely migratory species) are considered likely to occur in this habitat type. The Beach/Dunal habitat is classified as having High habitat value.

The area of Tidal Flats habitat in the study area is approximately 4.6% of the study area. The Tidal Flats habitat provides important foraging and roosting locations for Migratory listed birds, especially during the summer months when the majority of waders visit Australia’s shores. During the current survey 10 Migratory listed bird species were recorded in this habitat. The Tidal Flats habitat is classified as having High habitat value.

The area of Mangrove habitat constitutes 4% of the study area. The Mangrove habitat provides refuge and roost sites and in less dense areas foraging opportunities for shorebirds including those classified as Migratory under the EPBC Act. The Mangrove habitat supports a unique faunal assemblage and fauna species that are habitat specialists such as the Little Northern Freetail‐bat (Listed as Priority 4 by DEC), Mangrove Golden Whistler and Mangrove Grey Fantail. During the survey the Migratory listed White‐bellied Sea‐eagle was recorded in this habitat and a further six conservation significant fauna species are considered likely to occur in this habitat type. The Mangrove habitat is classified as having High habitat value. This is reflected in the Principles of Guidance for the Protection of Tropical Arid Zone Mangroves along the Pilbara Coast (EPA 2001), where the EPA consider the mangroves of the Port Hedland area to be of high conservation value and stipulates the need for minimal disturbance.

The Riverine habitat of the study area is approximately 1.6% of the study area. As the Riverine habitat is situated close to the coast many marine bird species such as terns and waders are expected to occur in this habitat. The Riverine habitat provides a large variety of microhabitats and is an important source of surface water (drinking sources for microbats, granivorous parrots, finches, as well as honeyeaters and macropods) and

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functions as a dispersal corridor for wildlife. During the survey the Migratory listed Eastern Great Egret, Caspian Tern and Rainbow Bee‐eater were recorded in this habitat and a further 24 conservation significant fauna species are considered likely to occur in this habitat. The Riverine habitat is classified as having High habitat value.

The Sandplain habitat of the study area constitutes 67.9% of the study area. The Sandplain habitat provides a moderate variety of microhabitats and is the dominant habitat type of the study area. During the survey the Woma (Schedule 4), Australian Bustard (Priority 4) , Bush Stone‐curlew (Priority 4) and Rainbow Bee‐eater (Migratory) were recorded and a further 10 conservation significant fauna species are considered likely to occur in this habitat. The Sandplain habitat is classified as having Moderate habitat value.

The five minor habitats Billabong, Low Hill, Granite Tor, Quartz Hill and Rockpile cover 71.4 ha of the study area. Although these habitats are small and isolated they contain microhabitats not provided in the broad habitat types, such as shallow freshwater pools and rocky habitat. The Low Hill habitat is suitable for the Western Pebble‐mouse. However, the Quartz Hill is unlikely to provide suitable habitat for any conservation significant fauna. The Quarry, Granite Tor and Rockpile habitats provide suitable habitat for Northern Quolls as the boulders provide den sites for this species. Northern Quolls have been recorded in these habitats during previous surveys (Biologic 2010 and ecologia 2008b).

4.2 FAUNA ASSEMBLAGES The composition and current status of the vertebrate fauna of the Pilbara is relatively well known as a result of a number of recent systematic fauna surveys (Gibson and McKenzie 2009, McKenzie and Bullen 2009, Burbidge et al. 2010) and numerous unpublished surveys.

Almost all of the species recorded in the 2011 survey are typical of the Port Hedland region and have been previously recorded in the vicinity of the study area. Of the 110 vertebrate species recorded in 2011, three species (Green Tree Frog, Mosaic Desert Skink and Banded Lapwing) are new records for the study area.

The Green Tree Frog traditionally occurs in the Kimberley region of Western Australia; however, numerous individuals were recorded within the Wedgefield Industrial Area during the survey. The Green Tree Frog is frequently found in human dwellings (Cogger 2000). These individuals may have been transported to the Port Hedland area in freight from the Kimberley, and it appears to only occur in urban areas.

The Mosaic Desert Skink was recently split from another Eremiascincus species. This species has a range from approximately Karratha to Broome (Wilson and Swan 2010) and records exist for the Port Hedland area (Mecke et al. 2009). It is likely to have been recorded in previous surveys under a different name.

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The Banded Lapwing is a widespread species which is common in the mid to southwest of Western Australia and has a sparser distribution in the north to north east areas of the Pilbara (DEC 2011a). This record is not unexpected as it occurs within the Banded Lapwings known distribution (Barrett et al. 2003).

4.3 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA A total of 38 species of conservation significance have been recorded during the current and previous surveys (Appendix E). This list comprises eight species which are considered to be rare or threatened; Northern Quoll, Woma, Australian Bustard, Bush Stone‐curlew, Eastern Curlew, Star Finch, Little Northern Freetail‐bat and Western Pebble‐mouse; and 29 species listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act and/or WC Act.

Migratory Species as listed by the EPBC Act

Twenty‐nine avian species listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act and classified as Schedule 3 under the WC Act, have been recorded within the study area (Table 7). These species are subject to international bilateral agreements to conserve migratory birds and conserve the habitats they utilise along the East Asian‐Australia Flyway. These bilateral agreements include the Japan‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), China‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), Republic of Korea‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA) and Bonn Convention. These agreements require all countries to protect migratory birds by limiting the circumstances under which migratory birds are taken or traded; protecting and conserving important habitats; exchanging information; and building cooperative relationships.

Northern Quoll

The Northern Quoll is listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act and is also classified as Schedule 1 under the WC Act. This carnivorous marsupial occurs mainly in areas of open eucalypt woodland within 200 km of the coast and is known to favour rocky areas, taking refuge in rock crevices, gullies and drainage lines (van Dyck and Strahan 2008). It is known to den in rock crevices and rock piles (van Dyck and Strahan 2008). In northern Australia the Northern Quolls former range has retracted considerably due to threats from Cane Toads, degradation and fragmentation of habitat, inappropriate fire regimes, weeds and predation by feral animals (DSEWPaC 2011c). The Northern Quoll has been recently recorded throughout the study area (DEC 2011ab, Biologic 2010 and ecologia 2008b, 2009). A total of 227 Northern Quoll were captured in the vicinity of Pippingarra over the past three years (DEC 2011b) indicating that this is one of the strongholds for this species in the Pilbara. The Riverine and Sandplain habitats and the boulders of the rocky habitat features such as the Granite Outcrop, Rockpile and Quarry provide suitable habitat for this species.

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Woma

The Pilbara population of the Woma is classified as Schedule 4 under the WC Act. This species inhabits spinifex within woodlands, heaths and shrublands and occurs in arid areas across Australia (Wilson and Swan 2010), where it shelters in hollow logs, animal burrows or thick vegetation (Cogger 2000). The Woma is listed due to habitat loss from land clearing and possibly predation from introduced animals (Wilson and Swan 2010). This species was recorded during the 2011 survey and the Outer Harbour Development survey (ENV.Australia 2009) in similar locations within the Sandplain habitat.

Little Northern Freetail‐bat

The Little Northern Freetail‐bat is listed as Priority 1 by the DEC. This species inhabits mangrove communities, roosting in crevices and sprouts of the dead upper branches of the mangrove Avicennia marina (van Dyck and Strahan 2008). The Little Northern Freetail‐bat has been recently recorded in the study area (DEC 2011a,b, ENV.Australia 2009, Biota 2006). The Mangroves and the surrounding Tidal Flats provide suitable habitat for this species.

Australian Bustard

The Australian Bustard is listed as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority Listing and is listed due to habitat loss from land clearing (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The most severe decline in this species has been experienced in the southern extent of its distribution, with northern populations remaining large and stable (Garnett et al. 2010). This species has been commonly recorded in the study area during numerous surveys (DEC 2011a,b, Biologic 2010, ENV.Australia 2009, Biota 2006 and Mattiske 1994).The Australia Bustard was recorded within the Sandplain habitat in the study area during the current survey.

Bush Stone‐curlew

The Bush Stone‐curlew is classified as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority Listing and is widespread across the Pilbara and Northern Australia (Barrett et al. 2003). The Bush Stone‐curlew is listed due to predation by introduced predators (Johnstone and Storr 1998). The most severe decline in this species has been experienced in the southern extent of its distribution, with northern populations remaining large and stable (Garnett et al. 2010). A roadkilled Bush Stone‐curlew was recorded in the Sandplain habitat during the current survey and has also been recorded within and in the vicinity of the study area previously (DEC 2011b and Biologic 2010).

Eastern Curlew

The Eastern Curlew is classified as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority Listing and is also listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act 1999. This shorebird is a large non‐breeding migratory species, found commonly along the north coast of Western Australia (Geering et al. 2007). The Eastern Curlew has been recorded in the study area by four previous

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surveys and is listed in the area by DEC databases (DEC 2011a and b, Biota 2009, Biota 2008b, ENV.Australia 2009 and Mattiske 1994). The Beach/Dunal and Tidal Flats habitats provide suitable habitat for this species, as it feeds on burrowing crabs or shrimps in the exposed intertidal zones (Geering et al. 2007).

Star Finch

The Western Star Finch (subspecies) is confined to the Pilbara region of Western Australia (Pizzey and Knight 2007) and typically inhabits areas of permanent water. This small finch drinks daily and generally breeds near water. The Star Finch was recorded in the Nelson Point Wetlands survey (Bennelongia 2011). The Riverine, Sandplains particularly those around the Riverine habitat and the Billabong (Coolarin Pool) provide suitable habitat for this species.

Western Pebble‐mouse

The Western Pebble‐mouse is classified as Priority 4 under the DEC Priority Listing. Abandoned mounds to the east of its current range indicate a decline in distribution (Menkhorst and Knight 2004). Abandoned mounds in disturbed areas suggest that the species is under threat by grazing and mining activities. This species is a ground dwelling mammal that has a poor ability to disperse compared to species that are highly mobile. Therefore, individual populations of this species are under greater risk of impact from any proposed development. However, the Western Pebble‐mouse is currently found broadly across the Pilbara. Active pebble‐mounds were recorded during the Mooka Siding survey (Biologic 2010) which was located both inside and outside of the study area (Figure 5). Numerous recent records exist for the Western Pebble‐mouse in the vicinity of the study area (DEC 2011a,b). The Low Hills situated to the south of the study area provide small pockets of suitable habitat for this species.

Page 63 J100490‐001‐Fauna‐JT‐Final NEW BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

5 SUMMARY

The study area consists of five major fauna habitat types: Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats, Mangroves, Riverine and Sandplain. Additional minor habitats were located throughout the study area: Billabong, Low Hill, Granite Tor, Quartz Hill, Rockpile and Quarry. The Beach/Dunal, Tidal Flats, Mangroves and Riverine habitats were all given High habitat value and Sandplain habitat was deemed as having Moderate habitat value.

Habitats considered to be of High habitat value constitute approximately 10.87% of the study area. The majority of the study area (67.9%) was composed of the Moderate value Sandplain habitat.

During the 2011 survey 108 vertebrate species, including two amphibian, 20 reptile, 79 bird, and seven mammal species were opportunistically recorded.

Using the combined results of the fauna database review and the 2011 survey, a total of 316 vertebrate species have been recorded within the vicinity of the study area. This includes 11 amphibian, 74 reptile, 189 bird and 42 mammal species. The study area and vicinity are particularly rich in avifaunal species, dominated by the large number of waterbirds many of which are migratory shorebirds (29 species) or coastal seabirds (10 species).

A total of 61 conservation significant species were considered to potentially occur in the study area from the desktop assessment. Of these, 38 species were recorded in the study area by either the current 2011 survey or other previous surveys. These 38 species include two reptiles, 33 birds and three mammal species. Of these, eight species (Northern Quoll, Woma, Australian Bustard, Bush Stone‐curlew, Eastern Curlew, Star Finch, Little Northern Freetail‐bat and Western Pebble‐mouse) are considered rare or threatened, while the remaining 29 are listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act.

Of the remaining 24 potentially occurring conservation significant species, 17 species were assessed as ‘Likely’ to occur, four species were considered as ‘Possible’ to occur, two species was considered ‘Unlikely’ to occur and one species was considered ‘Highly Unlikely’ to occur.

Page 64 J100490‐001‐Fauna‐JT‐Final NEW BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

6 REFERENCES

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Bennelongia (2011). Bird Survey of Nelson Point in April 2011. Unpublished report commissioned by BHPBIO.

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Biota (2004). Fauna Habitats and Fauna Assemblage of the Proposed FMG Stage A Rail Corridor. Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group

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Burbidge, A, Johnstone, R and Pearson, D. (2010). Birds in a Vast Arid Upland: Avian Biogeographical Patterns in the Pilbara of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 78:247‐270.

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Coffey Environments Australia (2011). Level 1 Terrestrial fauna Survey for the Multi‐User Iron ore Export Facility: Port Infrastructure Project. Unpublished report for North West Infrastructure .

Cogger, HG (2000). The Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed New Holland Publishers, Sydney.

Department of Environment and Conservation [DEC] (2011a). NatureMap: Mapping Western Australia's Biodiversity. Department of Environment and Conservation and

Western Australian Museum. Available from: < H http://naturemap.dec.wa.gov.au/H > [July 2011].

Department of Environment and Conservation [DEC] (2011b). Threatened and Priority Fauna Database (custom search). Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth Western Australia.

Department of Environment and Conservation [DEC] (2011c). Marine Turtles in Western Australia. Available from: [July 2011].

Department of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities [DSEWPaC] (2011a). Maps: Australia’s Bioregions (IBRA) Available from: [July 2011].

Department of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities [DSEWPaC] (2011b). EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool. Available from: [July 2011].

Department of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities [DSEWPaC] (2011c).Species Profile and Threats Database. . Available: [July 2011] ecologia Environment (2008a). Rail RGP5 Fauna Survey: Bing to Walla Siding and Repeater 1. Unpublished report commissioned by BHP Iron Ore.

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ecologia Environment (2008b). Rail RGP5 Fauna Survey: Quarry 1. Unpublished report commissioned by BHP Iron Ore. ecologia Environment (2009). RGP5 Fauna Survey Northern Quoll Wider Area Survey. Unpublished report commissioned by BHP Iron Ore.

Environmental Protection Authority [EPA](2001). Guidance for the Protection of Tropical Arid Zone Mangroves along the Pilbara Coast. Guidance Statement No. 1. EPA, Perth, Western Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority [EPA] (2002). Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection. Position Statement No. 3. EPA, Perth, Western Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority [EPA] (2004). Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia. Guidance Statement No. 56, EPA, Perth, Western Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority [EPA] (2010). Technical Guide – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment, EPA, Perth, Western Australia.

ENV.Australia (2008). Goldsworthy Rail Duplication Fauna Assessment. Unpublished report prepared for Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd.

ENV.Australia (2009). Outer Harbour Development Fauna Assessment. Unpublished report for Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd.

Garnett, S, Szabo, J and Duston, G (2011). The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.

Geering, A, Agnew, L and Harding, S (2007). Shorebirds of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.

Geological Survey of Western Australia (1990). Robertson, Western Australia 1:250 000 Geological Series. Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.

Gibson, LA and McKenzie NL (2009). Environmental associations of small ground‐ dwelling mammals in the Pilbara region, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 78: 98‐122.

IUCN (2011). 2011 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Online: www.iucnredlist.org.

Johnstone, RE and Storr, GM (1998). Handbook of Western Australian Birds: Volume 1 – Non‐passerines (Emu to Dollarbird). Western Australian Museum, Perth, Western Australia.

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Johnstone, RE and Storr, GM (2004). Handbook of Western Australian Birds: Volume 2 – Passerines (Blue‐winged Pitta to Goldfinch). Western Australian Museum, Perth, Western Australia.

Kendrick, P and McKenzie, N (2001). Pilbara 1 (PIL3 – Chichester subregion). In: A Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia's 53 Biogeographic Subregions in 2002. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.

Kendrick, P and Stanley, F (2001). Pilbara 4 (PIL4 – Roebourne synopsis). In: A Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia's 53 Biogeographic Subregions in 2002. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.

Mattiske Consulting (1994). Hedland HBI Project – Boodarie Site Flora, Vegetation and Vertebrate Fauna. Report prepared for BHP Minerals.

Mecke, S, Doughty, P and Donnellan, S (2009). A new species of Eremiascincus (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) from the Great Sandy Desert and Pilbara Coast, Western Australia and reassignment of eight species from Glaphyromorphus to Eremiascincus. Zootaxa 2246: 1‐20.

McKenzie NL and Bullen RD (2009). The Echolocation Calls, Habitat Relationships, Foraging Niches and Communities of Pibara Micro bats. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 78: 123‐155.

Menkhorst, P and Knight, F (2004). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. (2nd ed.) Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.

Morcombe, M (2000). Field Guide to Australian Birds, Steve Parish Publishing. Archerfield, Queensland.

Oakwood, M. (2002). Spatial and social organization of a carnivorous marsupial Dasyurus hallucatus (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae). Journal of Zoology 257, 237‐248

Pizzey, G and Knight, F (2007). The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Eighth Edition, Harper Collins, Sydney New South Wales.

Shepherd, DP, Beeston, GR and Hopkins, AJM (2001). Native Vegetation in Western Australia: Extent, Type and Status. Resource Management Technical Report 249, Department of Agriculture, Government of Western Australia.

Simpson, K and Day, N (2004). A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Penguin Books Australia Ltd, Melbourne.

Thackway, R and Cresswell, ID (1995). An Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia: A framework for setting priorities in the National Reserves System Cooperative Program, Version 4.0. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

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Tille, P (2006). Soil‐Landscape Zones of the WA Rangelands and Interior. Resource Management Technical Report 313. Department of Agriculture and Food. Western Australia. van Dyck, S and Strahan R (2008). The Mammals of Australia – Third Edition. Reed New Holland, Sydney. van Vreeswyk, AME, Payne, AL, Leighton, KA, and Hennig, P (2004). An Inventory and Condition Survey of the Pilbara Region of Western Australia. Technical Bulletin 92. Department of Agriculture, Government of Western Australia.

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Ziembicki, M. (2010) Australian Bustard. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing.

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FIGURES

J100490‐001‐Fauna‐JT‐Final Location 700000mE

Port Broome Hedland INDIAN

Newman OCEAN Western Australia

Geraldton Kalgoorlie 7800000mN 7800000mN Perth 600000mE

Port Hedland Highway Northern Great To Broome PORT HEDLAND REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY

Highway

Mount

Coastal 7700000mN 7700000mN West South To Marble Bar

Great To Roebourne

Newman

N Northern

Highway

SCALE 1 : 1 000 000 Railroad 0 50

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection 600000mE 700000mE

To Newman

Date: 10 August 2011 Client: BHP BILLITON IRON ORE Scale: 1:1 Million Project: REGIONAL LOCATION Author: J.T. / S.C. PORT HEDLAND REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY Figure No. 1 J100490 A4 Plan No. PH-001 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE A3 Legend HABITAT ASSESSMENT, TARGETED SEARCHES, ANABAT AND Fauna Habitat Assessment Location MOTION SENSITIVE CAMERA LOCATIONS Anabat Location

Client: BHP BILLITON IRON ORE Date: 18 November 2011 Motion Sensitive Camera Location

Project: Scale: 1:75 000 Mulgara Transect PORT HEDLAND Job Number: J100490 REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY Northern Quoll and Gehyra Figure No. 3a Targeted Species Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-014 675000mE 655000mE

7755000mN 7755000mN 650000mE HA14 HA13

HA3 HA4 ANA13

HA11 HA12

7750000mN 7750000mN

HA2 ANA15 HA6

HA7 Transect 11 Transect 10

7745000mN 7745000mN

N

SCALE 1 : 75 000 0 5

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection Location GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50

7740000mN 7740000mN a 675000mE 655000mE 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE Transect 7 HA9 b

Transect 9 655000mE 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE 675000mE 7740000mN 7740000mN Location

Transect 7 HA9 a

b

Transect 9 Transect 5 Transect 1

N

7735000mN 7735000mN

SCALE 1 : 75 000 HA19 (Quartz Outcrop) 0 5

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection

HA18 (Quartz Outcrop) 680000mE GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Transect 6 HA18 (Coolarin Pool) HA15 MOT 2 ANA16 HA17 (Rockpile) Northern Quoll and Gehyra Targeted Species 7730000mN HA1 7730000mN MOT 1 ANA19 MOT 3 ANA17 HA8

HA10 655000mE

Northern Quoll and Gehyra Legend HA5 Targeted Species Fauna Habitat Assessment Location 7725000mN 7725000mN Anabat Location HA16 (Low Hill) Motion Sensitive Camera Location

Mulgara Transect HA16 (Low Hill) Transect 2 Northern Quoll and Gehyra Northern Quoll and Gehyra Targeted Species Targeted Species HA16 (Low Hill) HABITAT ASSESSMENT, Transect 8 MULGARA TRANSECT, ANABAT AND Transect 4 MOTION SENSITIVE CAMERA LOCATIONS Transect 3 HA19 (Quartz Outcrop) (Sheet 1 of 2) A3 Northern Quoll and Gehyra Client: BHP BILLITON IRON ORE Date: 18 November 2011 680000mE Project: Scale: 1:75 000 Targeted Species PORT HEDLAND 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE Job Number: J100490 REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY 7720000mN 7720000mN Figure No. 3b Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-015 652500mE 655000mE 657500mE 660000mE 662500mE 665000mE Fauna Habitat

B/D Beach / Dunal LH Low Hill TF Tidal Flats GT Granite Tor 7757500mN 7757500mN M Mangroves Q Quartz Outcrop R Riverine RP Rockpile SPSandplain D/I Disturbed / Infrastructure B Billabong

Location

a b

7755000mN 7755000mN c d

650000mE B/D

e f

N B/D

647500mE B/D M D/I

B/D SCALE 1 : 50 000 B/D M D 7752500mN 0 2.5 7752500mN

Kilometres D MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA TF Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection TF GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 M B/D M M

M

M

TF TF M

TF SP 7750000mN 7750000mN

M M D/I M M M TF

TF

TF D/I SP TF

647500mE 650000mE D/I TF

7747500mN 7747500mN

SP SP FAUNA HABITAT R (Sheet 1 of 6) R SP D/I A3 SP Client: BHP BILLITON PTY LTD Date: 24 October 2011 Project: Scale: 1:50 000 662500mE 652500mE 665000mE PORT HEDLAND 657500mE 660000mE D/I REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY SP Figure No. 4a 7745000mN Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-008 665000mE 667500mE 670000mE 672500mE 675000mE 677500mE Fauna Habitat

N B/D Beach / Dunal LH Low Hill TF Tidal Flats GT Granite Tor 7757500mN 7757500mN M Mangroves Q Quartz Outcrop R Riverine RP Rockpile SCALE 1 : 50 000 SPSandplain D/I Disturbed / Infrastructure 0 2.5 B Billabong

Kilometres

MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA 680000mE Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection Location GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50

a b

7755000mN 7755000mN c d B/DD B/D e f 682500mE B/D

D/I B/D D 7752500mN 7752500mN TF D TF TF B/D

M M

M

TF M 7750000mN 7750000mN

M TF M D/I

M TF TF D/I 682500mE 680000mE TF D/I 7747500mN 7747500mN

D/I SP FAUNA HABITAT SP (Sheet 2 of 6) SP R A3 Client: BHP BILLITON PTY LTD Date: 24 October 2011 Project: Scale: 1:50 000 667500mE 670000mE D/I 675000mE 677500mE PORT HEDLAND REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY SP Figure No. 4b 7745000mN 7745000mN Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-009 652500mE 655000mE 657500mE 660000mE 662500mE 665000mE

Fauna Habitat D/I SP

B/D Beach / Dunal LH Low Hill 7745000mN TF Tidal Flats GT Granite Tor M Mangroves Q Quartz Outcrop R Riverine RP Rockpile R SPSandplain D/I Disturbed / Infrastructure SP

B Billabong SP

Location D/I 7742500mN 7742500mN ab D/I

c d

e f

SP

7740000mN 7740000mN R

N

SP

SCALE 1 : 50 000

0 2.5 7737500mN 7737500mN

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 D

SP

7735000mN 7735000mN

R FAUNA HABITAT (Sheet 3 of 6) A3 Client: BHP BILLITON PTY LTD Date: 24 October 2011 Project: Scale: 1:50 000 662500mE 652500mE PORT HEDLAND 7732500mN 655000mE 657500mE 660000mE 7732500mN REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY Figure No. 4c Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-010 665000mE 667500mE 670000mE 672500mE 675000mE 677500mE D/I Fauna Habitat

SP 7745000mN B/D Beach / Dunal LH Low Hill

R TF Tidal Flats GT Granite Tor M Mangroves Q Quartz Outcrop

D/I R Riverine RP Rockpile SPSandplain D/I Disturbed / Infrastructure D/I B Billabong 680000mE Location D/I 7742500mN 7742500mN ab

c d

e f SP

D/I

7740000mN 7740000mN

N

SP

D/I SCALE 1 : 50 000

7737500mN 0 2.5

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection D/I GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50

7735000mN D/I 7735000mN 680000mE

SP Q FAUNA HABITAT (Sheet 4 of 6) A3 R Client: BHP BILLITON PTY LTD Date: 24 October 2011 Project: Scale: 1:50 000 672500mE 7732500mN 667500mE 670000mE 675000mE 677500mE 7732500mN PORT HEDLAND Q REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY Figure No. 4d Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-011 652500mE 655000mE 657500mE 660000mE 662500mE 665000mE Fauna Habitat 7732500mN

B/D Beach / Dunal LH Low Hill TF Tidal Flats GT Granite Tor M Mangroves Q Quartz Outcrop R R Riverine RP Rockpile SPSandplain D/I Disturbed / Infrastructure D/I B Billabong 650000mE Location 7730000mN 7730000mN

ab SP c d

e f 647500mE

7727500mN 7727500mN

N

SCALE 1 : 50 000

7725000mN 0 2.5 7725000mN

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection LH GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 LH LH D/I

LH

7722500mN 7722500mN

647500mE 650000mE SP

R

FAUNA HABITAT (Sheet 5 of 6) A3 Client: BHP BILLITON PTY LTD Date: 24 October 2011 7720000mN 7720000mN Project: Scale: 1:50 000 662500mE 652500mE 665000mE PORT HEDLAND 655000mE 657500mE 660000mE REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY Figure No. 4e Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-012 665000mE 667500mE 670000mE 672500mE 675000mE 677500mE 7732500mN Fauna Habitat Q

B/D Beach / Dunal LH Low Hill

TF GT RP Q Tidal Flats Granite Tor M Mangroves Q Quartz Outcrop B R Riverine RP Rockpile SP SPSandplain D/I Disturbed / Infrastructure D/I B Billabong

R 680000mE 7730000mN 7730000mN Location R GT ab

R c d D/I e f 682500mE

7727500mN 7727500mN

R N

SCALE 1 : 50 000

7725000mN 0 2.5 7725000mN

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection LH GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 /I

SP R

7722500mN LH 7722500mN 682500mE 680000mE

Q

FAUNA HABITAT (Sheet 6 of 6) A3 7720000mN 7720000mN Client: BHP BILLITON PTY LTD Date: 24 October 2011 Project: Scale: 1:50 000 672500mE 665000mE 667500mE 670000mE 675000mE 677500mE PORT HEDLAND REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY Figure No. 4f Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-013 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE LOCATION OF Legend THREATENED FAUNA Conservation Significant Species - ENV 2011 (Sheet 1 of 2) Conservation Significant Species - ENV 2008 A3 Conservation Significant Species - Biologic 2010 Client: BHP BILLITON IRON ORE Date: 25 October 2011 Project: Scale: 1:75 000 Little North-western Freetail Bat (Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis) PORT HEDLAND Job Number: J100490

REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY 675000mE Figure No. 5a Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-016 655000mE

7755000mN 7755000mN 650000mE

Little North-western Freetail Bat (Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis)

7750000mN 7750000mN

7745000mN 7745000mN

N

SCALE 1 : 75 000 0 5

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection Location GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50

7740000mN 7740000mN a 675000mE 655000mE 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE

b 655000mE 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE 675000mE 7740000mN 7740000mN Location

N a

b

SCALE 1 : 75 000 0 5

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50

7735000mN 7735000mN

Woma (Aspidites ramsayi) Bush-stone Curlew (Burhinus grallarius)

Woma (Aspidites ramsayi) 680000mE Northern Quoll Scat (Dasyurus hallucatus)

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) 7730000mN 7730000mN Northern Quoll Scat (Dasyurus hallucatus) Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) Northern Quoll Scat (Dasyurus hallucatus) Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius)

Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius)

Legend

Conservation Significant Species - ENV 2011 Conservation Significant Species - ENV 2008 Conservation Significant Species - Biologic 2010

7725000mN Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius) Little North-western Freetail Bat (Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis) Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) Northern Quoll Scat (Dasyurus hallucatus) Western Pebble-mound Mouse (Pseudomys chapmani) Woma (Aspidites ramsayi)

LOCATION OF Western Pebble-mound Mouse (Pseudomys chapmani) Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) THREATENED FAUNA (Sheet 1 of 2) Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius) Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius)grallarius) A3 Client: BHP BILLITON IRON ORE Date: 25 October 2011 Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)australis) 680000mE Project: Scale: 1:75 000 Western Pebble-mound Mouse 660000mE PORT HEDLAND 665000mE Job Number: J100490 (Pseudomys chapmani) REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY 7720000mN Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius) 7720000mN Figure No. 5b Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-017 Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius)grallarius) 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE LOCATION OF Legend MIGRATORY FAUNA Migratory Fauna Species - ENV 2011 (Sheet 1 of 2) Migratory Fauna Species - ENV 2008 A3 Migratory Fauna Species - Biologic 2010 Client: BHP BILLITON IRON ORE Date: 26 October 2011

Project: Scale: 1:75 000 675000mE PORT HEDLAND Job Number: J100490 REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY Figure No. 6a Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-038 655000mE

7755000mN 7755000mN 650000mE

Eastern Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra) Grey-tailed Tatler (Tringa brevipes) White-bellied sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) 7750000mN 7750000mN Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

White-bellied sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

7745000mN 7745000mN

N Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)

SCALE 1 : 75 000 0 5

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection Location GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50

7740000mN 7740000mN a 675000mE 655000mE 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE

b Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) 655000mE 660000mE 665000mE 670000mE 675000mE 7740000mN 7740000mN Location

N a Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) b

SCALE 1 : 75 000 0 5

Kilometres MAP GRID OF AUSTRALIA Grid based on Transverse Mercator Projection GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50

7735000mN 7735000mN

Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) 680000mE

7730000mN 7730000mN Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta)

Oriental Plover (Charadrius veredus)

Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) 7725000mN 7725000mN

Legend

Conservation Significant Species - ENV 2011 Conservation Significant Species - ENV 2008 Conservation Significant Species - Biologic 2010

LOCATION OF MIGRATORY FAUNA (Sheet 1 of 2) A3 Client: BHP BILLITON IRON ORE Date: 26 October 2011 680000mE Project: Scale: 1:75 000 660000mE PORT HEDLAND 665000mE Job Number: J100490 REGIONAL FAUNA SURVEY 7720000mN Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) 7720000mN Figure No. 6b Author: J.Trainer Drawn: S.Coleman Plan No. PH-039 BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

APPENDIX A DEFINITIONS OF CONSERVATION CODES FOR FAUNA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE

J100490‐001‐Fauna‐JT‐Final BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

PORT HEDLAND REGIONAL FAUNA ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX A

DEFINITIONS OF CONSERVATION CODES FOR FAUNA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE

A1: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth): Threatened Species and Threatened Ecological Communities Codes

The EPBC Act prescribes seven matters of national environmental significance:‐

 World Heritage properties;

 National Heritage places;

 Wetlands of international importance;

 Threatened species and ecological communities;

 Migratory species;

 Commonwealth marine areas; and

 Nuclear actions (including uranium mining).

Species in the categories ExW, CE, E, V and M (see below), and Threatened Ecological Communities in the CE and E categories are protected as matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act.

Category Code Category

Taxa for which there is no reasonable doubt that the last member of the species has Extinct Ex died.

Taxa known to survive only in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population Extinct in the well outside its past range; or not recorded in its known and/or expected habitat at ExW Wild appropriate seasons anywhere in its past range despite exhaustive surveys over a timeframe appropriate to its life cycle and form.

Critically Taxa facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, CE Endangered as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Taxa not critically endangered and facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in Endangered E the medium‐term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Taxa not critically endangered or endangered and facing a high risk of extinction in Vulnerable V the wild in the medium‐term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Taxa which are the focus of a specific conservation program, the cessation of which Conservation CD would result in the species becoming vulnerable, endangered or critically Dependent endangered within five years.

J100490 ‐ Appendix A Fauna Conservation Codes BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Category Code Category

Taxa that migrate to Australia and its external territories, or pass through or over Australian waters during their annual migrations, that are included in an international agreement approved by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts and that have been placed on the national List of Migratory Species under the provisions of the EPBC Act. At present there are four such agreements: Migratory Mi  the Bonn Convention  the China‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA)  the Japan‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA)  the Republic of Korea‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA)

Taxa protected in a Commonwealth Marine Protected Area by virtue of section 248 of the EPBC Act. These taxa include certain seals, crocodiles, turtles and birds, as well as various marine fish. Commonwealth marine areas are matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act. An action will require approval if the:  action is taken in a Commonwealth marine area and the action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment, or Marine Ma  action is taken outside a Commonwealth marine area and the action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment in a Commonwealth marine area1 The Commonwealth marine area is any part of the sea, including the waters, seabed, and airspace, within Australia's exclusive economic zone and/or over the continental shelf of Australia, that is not State or Northern Territory waters. The Commonwealth marine area stretches from 3 to 200 nautical miles (approximately 5‐370 km) from the coast. Marine protected areas are marine areas which are recognised to have high conservation value.

J100490 ‐ Appendix A Fauna Conservation Codes BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

A2: Western Australian Threatened Fauna Categories

Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA)

Category Code Description

Schedule 1 S1 Rare or likely to become extinct.

Schedule 2 S2 Presumed extinct.

Birds subject to an agreement between the governments of Australia and Japan, the People’s Republic of China & the Republic Schedule 3 S3 of Korea relating to the protection of migratory birds and birds in danger of extinction.

Schedule 4 S4 Other specially protected fauna.

A3: Department of Environment and Conservation Fauna Priority Codes

Category Code Description

Priority 1 P1 Taxa with few, poorly known populations on threatened lands.

Priority 2 P2 Taxa with few, poorly known populations on conservation lands.

Priority 3 P3 Taxa with several, poorly known populations, some on conservation lands.

Taxa in need of monitoring: not currently threatened or in need of special Priority 4 P4 protection, but could become so. Usually represented on conservation lands.

Taxa in need of monitoring: not considered threatened, but the subject of a Priority 5 P5 specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming threatened within five years.

A4: IUCN Redlist Conservation Fauna Codes

Category Code Description

Taxa for which there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has Extinct EX died.

Taxa which is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population well outside its past range and it has not been Extinct in the Wild EW recorded in known or expected habitat despite exhaustive survey over a time frame appropriate to its life cycle and form.

Critically Endangered CR Taxa facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered EN Taxa facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Vulnerable VU Taxa facing high risk of extinction in the wild

J100490 ‐ Appendix A Fauna Conservation Codes BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Category Code Description

Taxa which has been evaluated but does not qualify for CR, EN, or VU now Near Threatened NT but is close to qualifying or likely to qualify in the near future.

Taxa which has been evaluated but does not qualify for CR, EN, VU, or NT Least Concern LC but is likely to qualify for NT in the near future. Taxa for which there is inadequate information to make a direct or indirect Data Deficient DD assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status.

J100490 ‐ Appendix A Fauna Conservation Codes BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

J100490‐001‐Fauna‐JT‐Final PORT HEDLAND REGIONAL FAUNA ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

Appendix B1: Recorded Vertebrate Fauna ‐ Amphibians

Key: EPBC = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, WC = Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, DEC = Department of Conservation Priority Code, IUCN= International Union for Conservation of Nature Code, A = Listed in Naturema (DEC 2011a), B= EPBC protected matters search tool (DSEWPaC 2011b) C = Listed by Birds Australia (Birdata 2011), D= DEC Protected Matters Search (DSEWPaC 2011c), E= Bird Survey of Nelson Point Wetlands in April 2011 (Bennelongia 2001, F= Moo Siding Level 1 Targeted Fauna (Biologic 2010), G= Port Hedland Nelson Point Dredging Approvals Flora and Fauna Review of DMMA H (Biota 2009), H= Flora and Fauna Assessment of DMMA A (Biota 2008b), I= RGP5 Bing to Walla Siding and Repeater Fauna Assessment (ecologia 2008a), J= RGP5 Quarry 1 Fauna Survey (ecologia 2008b), K= Goldsworthy Rail Duplication fauna Assessment (ENV 2008), L= RGP5 Northern Quoll Wider Survey Area (ecologia 2009), M= Outer Harbour Development Faun Assessment (ENV 2009), N= Port Hedland Solar Saltfield Expansion Fauna Survey (Biota 2006), O= Fauna Habitats and Fauna Assemblage of the Proposed FMG Stage A Rail Corridor (Biota 2004), P= Boodarie Flora and Fauna (Mattiske 1994), Q= Curre

Conservation Codes COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME BA CGD EOF H I JKL MN PQ EPBC WC DEC IUCN Hylidae (Tree Dwelling Frogs) Giant Frog Cyclorana australis LC x xx Main's Frog Cyclorana maini LC x x Green Tree Frog Litoria caerulea LC x Roth's tree Frog Litoria rothii LC x Desert Tree Frog Litoria rubella LC x x x x

Limnodynastidae Northern Burrowing Frog Neobatrachus aquilonius LC x Shoemaker Frog Neobatrachus sutor LC x Desert Spadefoot Notaden nichollsi LC x xx Spencer's Burrowing Frog Platyplectrum spenceri LC x xx

Myobatrachidae (Ground Frogs) Russell's Toadlet Uperoleia russelli LC x Glandular toadlet Uperoleia glandulosa LC x

(x) denotes recorded during the survey

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

Appendix B2: Recorded Vertebrate Fauna ‐ Reptiles

Key: EPBC = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, WC = Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, DEC = Department of Conservation Priority Code, IUCN= International Union for Conservation of Nature Code, A = Listed in Naturemap (DEC 2011a), B= EPBC protected matters search tool (DSEWPaC 2011b) C = Listed by Birds Australia (Birdata 2011), D= DEC Protected Matters Search (DSEWPaC 2011c), E= Bird Survey of Nelson Point Wetlands in April 2011 (Bennelongia 2001, F= Moo Siding Level 1 Targeted Fauna (Biologic 2010), G= Port Hedland Nelson Point Dredging Approvals Flora and Fauna Review of DMMA H (Biota 2009), H= Flora and Fauna Assessment of DMMA A (Biota 2008b), I= RGP5 Bing to Walla Siding and Repeater Fauna Assessment (ecologia 2008a), J= RGP5 Quarry 1 Fauna Survey (ecologia 2008b), K= Goldsworthy Rail Duplication fauna Assessment (ENV 2008), L= RGP5 Northern Quoll Wider Survey Area (ecologia 2009), M= Outer Harbour Development Faun Assessment (ENV 2009), N= Port Hedland Solar Saltfield Expansion Fauna Survey (Biota 2006), O= Fauna Habitats and Fauna Assemblage of the Proposed FMG Stage A Rail Corridor (Biota 2004), P= Boodarie Flora and Fauna (Mattiske 1994), Q= Curren

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ABCFDIENG H J KML O PQ EPBC WC DEC IUCN Agamidae (Dragons) Long‐nosed Water Dragon Amphibolurus longirostris LCx x xxxx xxxxx Ring‐tailed Dragon Ctenophorus caudicinctus LC x x x x x x Central Military Dragon Ctenophorus isolepis isolepis LCx x xxx xxxxx Central Netted Dragon Ctenophorus nuchalis LC x x x x x x x Western Netted Dragon Ctenophorus reticulatus LC x Canegrass Dragon Diporiphora winneckei LC x x Bearded Dragon Pogona minor LC x x

Diplodactyllidae (Geckoes) Fat‐tailed Gecko Diplodactylus conspicillatus LCx x xxxx Pale‐snouted Gecko Lucasium stenodactylum LC x xxxx Beaked Gecko Rhynchoedura ornata LC xx Northern Spiny‐tailed Gecko Strophurus cillaris aberrans LC x xx Jewelled Gecko Strophurus elderi LC x x Strophurus jeanae LC x x

Carphodactylidae (Geckoes) Smooth Knob‐tailed Gecko Nephrurus levis pilbarensis LC x xx

Gekkonidae (Geckoes) Gehyra nana LC x Gehyra pilbara LC x x Spotted Dtella Gehyra punctata LC x x x x x x Gehyra purpurascens LC x Tree Dtella Gehyra variegata LC x xxxxx Asian House Gecko *Hemidactylus frenatus LC x Bynoe’s Gecko Heteronotia binoei LC xx xx

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ABCFDIENGLO H J KM P Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN Pygopodidae (Legless Lizards) Unbanded Delma Delma butleri LC xx Neck‐barred Delma Delma haroldi LC x xx Peace Delma Delma pax LC x xxx Excitable Delma Delma tincta LC x xx Burtons snake‐lizard Lialis burtonis LC x x Hooded Scaly‐foot Pygopus nigriceps LC x xx

Scincidae (Skinks) White‐lipped Rainbow Skink Carlia munda LC x x Desert Rainbow Skink Carlia triacantha LC xx x Buchanan's snake‐eyed Skink Cryptoblepharus buchananii LC x Ctenotus duricola LC x x x Ctenotus grandis titan LC x xx x Ctenotus hanloni LC x Ctenotus helenae LC x xx Leopard Ctenotus Ctenotus pantherinus ocellifer LCx x xxx xxxxx Ctenotus piankai LC x xx x Ctenotus rufescens LC x xx Rock Ctenotus Ctenotus saxatilis LCx x xx xxxxx Ctenotus serventyi LC x xx Pygmy Spiny‐tailed Skink Egernia depressa LC x x x Narrow‐banded Sand Swimmer Eremiascincus fasciolatus LC x xx Mosaic Desert Skink Eremiascincus musivus LC x Lerista bipes LC x xxxxx Lerista clara LC x Lerista muelleri LC xx Common Dwarf Skink Menetia greyii LC x xx x Morethia ruficauda LC x x x xxxxx Notoscincus ornatus LC x Desert Bluetongue Tiliqua multifasciata LC x x x x x

Varanidae (Monitors) Ridge‐tailed Monitor Varanus acanthurus LC x xxxxx Short‐tailed Monitor Varanus brevicauda LC x xxx Pilbara Goanna Varanus bushi LC x Desert Pygmy Monitor Varanus eremius LCx x x xxx Perentie Varanus giganteus LC x x Sand Monitor Varanus gouldii LCx xx xxxx

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ABCFDIENGLO H J KM P Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN

Typhlopidae (Blind Snakes) Ramphotyphlops ammodytes LC x xxx Flowerpot Snake *Ramphotyphlops braminus LC x Beaked Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops grypus LC x x Pilbara Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops pilbarensis LC x x

Boidae (Pythons) Pygmy Python Antaresia perthensis LC x Stimson’s Python Antaresia stimsoni stimsoni LC x x x Black‐headed Python Aspidites melanocephalus LC x xx Woma Aspidites ramsayi S4 EN x xx

Elapidae (Front‐fanged Snakes) Desert Death Adder Acanthophis pyrrhus LC x Pilbara Death Adder Acanthophis wellsi LC x Shovel‐nosed Snake Brachyurophis approximans LC x Yellow‐faced Whip‐Snake Demansia psammophis LC x xx Rufous Whip‐Snake Demansia rufescens LC x x Moon Snake Furina ornata LC x x Mulga Snake Pseudechis australis LC x xxx Ringed Snake Pseudonaja modesta LC x x Gwardar Pseudonaja mengdeni LC x x x x Desert Banded Snake Simoselaps anomalus LC x xxx Spotted Snake Suta punctata LC x x

(x) denotes recorded during the survey

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

Appendix B3: Recorded Vertebrate Fauna ‐ Birds

Key: EPBC = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, WC = Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, DEC = Department of Conservation Priority Code, IUCN= International Union for Conservation of Nature Code, A = Listed in Naturemap (D 2011a), B= EPBC protected matters search tool (DSEWPaC 2011b) C = Listed by Birds Australia (Birdata 2011), D= DEC Protected Matters Search (DSEWPaC 2011c), E= Bird Survey of Nelson Point Wetlands in April 2011 (Bennelongia 2001, F= Mooka Siding Level 1 Targeted Fauna (Biologic 2010), G= Port Hedland Nelson Point Dredging Approvals Flora and Fauna Review of DMMA H (Biota 2009), H= Flora and Fauna Assessment of DMMA A (Biota 2008b), I= RGP5 Bing to Walla Siding and Repeater 1 Fauna Assessment (ecologia 2008a), J= RGP5 Quarry 1 Fauna Survey (ecologia 2008b), K= Goldsworthy Rail Duplication fauna Assessment (ENV 2008), L= RGP5 Northern Quoll Wider Survey Area (ecologia 2009), M= Outer Harbour Development Fauna Assessm (ENV 2009), N= Port Hedland Solar Saltfield Expansion Fauna Survey (Biota 2006), O= Fauna Habitats and Fauna Assemblage of the Proposed FMG Stage A Rail Corridor (Biota 2004), P= Boodarie Flora and Fauna (Mattiske 1994), Q= Current Survey.

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ACDFGHBIENJKL M O P Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN Casuariidae (Cassowaries and Emus) Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae LC x xxxx

Phasianidae (Pheasants and Quails) Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora LC x x x

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese and Swans) Grey Teal Anas gracilis LCxxx x x x Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa LCxxx xxx Hardhead Aythya australis LC x x x Black Swan Cygnus atratus LCxxx Plumed Whistling‐duck Dendrocygna eytoni LCxx xx Pink‐eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus LC x x x Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides LC x

Podicipedidae (Grebes) Hoary‐headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus LC x x Australian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae LCxxx x x

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) Domestic Pigeon *Columba livia LC x x Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata LCxxxxxxx Bar‐shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis LC x Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata placida LCxxx xxxxx Spinifex Pigeon Geophaps plumifera LCx xxxx x Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes LCx x xxxxx x xxxxx Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera LC x xx Flock Bronzewing Phaps histrionica P4 LC x

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ACDFGHBIENJKL M OP Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN Podargidae (Frogmouths) Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides LC x x

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars) Spotted Nightjar Eurostopodus argus LC x x x x x

Apodidae (Swifts) Fork‐tailed Swift Apus pacificus Mi S3 LC x

Fregatidae (FrigateBirds) Lesser Frigate Bird Fregata ariel Mi S3 LC x

Anhingidae (Darters) Darter Anhinga melanogaster LC x xx

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Darters) Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos LCxxxx Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris LC x x Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius LC x x x x x

Pelecanidae (Pelicans) Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus LCxx xx

Ciconiidae (Storks) Black‐necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus LC x x x

Ardeidae (Herons and Bitterns) Cattle Egret Ardea ibis Mi S3 LC x x Eastern Great Egret Ardea modesta Mi S3 LC x x xx White‐faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae LC x x x x x White‐necked Heron Ardea pacifica LC x x Striated Heron Butorides striatus LC x xx Little Egret Egretta garzetta LCxxx x x Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia LC x Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra Mi S3 LC x xx Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus LC x x x

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ACDFGHBIENJKL M OP Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia LC x Australian White ibis Threskiornis molucca LC x x x x x Straw‐necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis LC x x x

Accipitridae (Kites, Hawks and Eagles) Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus LC x Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus LC x Wedge‐tailed Eagle Aquila audax LC x x x x Swamp Harrier Circus approximans LC x x x Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis LCx x x xxx Black‐shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris LC x x x Letter‐winged Kite Elanus scriptus LC x White‐bellied Sea‐eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Mi S3 LC x x xxx Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus LCxxxx xxxxx Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus LCxxx xxxxxx Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides LC x x x x Black Kite Milvus migrans LC x x x x x Eastern Osprey Pandion haliaetus Mi S3 LC x x x x x x x x

Falconidae (Falcons) Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides LCx x xx x x xxxxx Brown Falcon Falco berigora LCx x xxxxxx Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos P4 NT x Australian Hobby Falco longipennis LC x x x x x Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus S4 LC x x

Rallidae (Waterhens) Buff‐banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis LCxxx Eurasian Coot Fulica atra LCxxx Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio LC x

Otidae (Bustards) Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis P4NTx x x xxxxx

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ACDFGHBIENJKL M OP Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN Burhinidae (Stone‐curlews) Bush Stone‐curlew Burhinus grallarius P4 NT x x x

Haematopodidae (Oystercatches) Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus LC x xx Australian Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris LC x x

Recurvirostridae (Stilts) Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus leucocephalus LC x x Black‐winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus LCxxx x x Red‐necked Avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae LC x x

Charadriidae (Plovers, Lapwings and Dotterels) Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Mi S3 LC x x x Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus Mi S3 LC x x xx Red‐capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus LC x x x x x Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus Mi S3 LC x x x x x x Red‐kneed Dotterel Elseyornis cinctus LC x x Black‐fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops LCxxx x x Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Mi S3 LC x x Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Mi S3 LC x x xx Banded Lapwing Vanellus tricolor LC x Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles LC x

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Snipes) Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Mi S3 LC x x x x x Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Mi S3 LC x x xx Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Mi S3 LC x x x Sanderling Calidris alba Mi S3 LC x x Red Knot Calidris canutus Mi S3 LC x x x Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Mi S3 LC x x x Red‐necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Mi S3 LC x x x x x Long‐toed Stint Calidris subminuta Mi S3 LC x Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Mi S3 VU x x xx

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ACDFGHBIENJKL M OP Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN Pin‐tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura Mi S3 LC x Broad‐billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Mi S3 LC x x Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus Mi S3 NT x Bar‐tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Mi S3 LC x x xx Black‐tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Mi S3 NT x x Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis Mi S3 P4 VU x x x x x x x Little Curlew Numenius minutus Mi S3 LC x x x Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Mi S3 LC x x x x x x x x Ruff Philomachus pugnax Mi S3 LC x Australian Painted Snipe Rostratula australis VU S1 EN x Grey‐tailed tattler Tringa brevipes Mi S3 LC x x x x x Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Mi S3 LC x x x x Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Mi S3 LC x x xx Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Mi S3 LC x x x Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Mi S3 LC x x xx

Glareolidae (Pratincoles) Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum Mi S3 LC x x x

Turnicidae (Button‐quails) Little Button‐quail Turnix velox LCx x xxxx

Laridae (Gulls and Terns) Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae LCxxx xx xx Pacific Gull Larus pacificus LC x Little Tern Sterna albifrons Mi S3 LC x x x Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis Mi S3 LC x x Crested Tern Sterna bergii LC x x Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Mi S3 LC x x x x x Common Tern Sterna hirundo Mi S3 LC x Whiskered Tern Sterna hybrida LCxxx x Fairy Tern Sterna nereis VU x x Gull‐billed Tern Sterna nilotica affinis LC x x x x x White‐winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucoptera Mi S3 LC x x

Cacatuidae (Cockatoos)

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ACDFGHBIENJKL M OP Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN Galah Cacatua roseicapilla LCxxxxxxxx Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea LC x x x x x x

Psittacidae (Lorikeets and Parrots) Australian Ringneck Barnardius zonarius LC x xxx Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus LCx x x x xxx Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus LCxxxxxxx Red‐capped Parrot Platycercus spurius LC x

Cuculidae (Cuckoos) Horsfield's Bronze‐Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis LCxx xxx Black‐eared Cuckoo Chalcites osculans x Shining Bronze‐Cuckoo Chalcites lucidus x Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus LC x x x Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianus LC x

Strigidae (Hawk‐owls) Southern Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae LC x x

Tytonidae (Barn Owls) Eastern Barn Owl Tyto alba LC x x

Halcyonidae (Kingfishers) Blue‐winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii LCxx xx x Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris LC x xx Red‐backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygia LCx x x x xxx Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus LCxxx xxx xx

Meropidae (Bee‐eaters) Rainbow Bee‐eater Merops ornatus MiS3 LCxxx xx x x xxxxx

Climacteridae Black‐tailed Treecreeper Climacteris melanura LC x

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ACDFGHBIENJKL M OP Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN Ptilonorhynchidae (Bowerbirds) Western Bowerbird Chlamydera guttata LC x x

Maluridae (Fairy‐wrens) Variegated Fairy‐wren Malurus lamberti LCxx x xxxx White‐winged Fairy‐wren Malurus leucopterus LCx xxxxxxx xxxxx

Acanthizidae (Scrubwrens, Gerygones and Thornbills) Dusky Gerygone Gerygone tenebrosa LCxxx x x Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris LC x x

Pardalotidae (Pardalotes) Red‐browed Pardalote Pardalotus rubricatus LCx x xx xx Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus LC x x

Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters) Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus LC x Black Honeyeater Certhionyx niger LC x x Orange Chat Epthianura aurifrons x Crimson Chat Epthianura tricolor LC x Grey‐headed Honeyeater Lichenostomus keartlandi LC x White‐plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus LCx x xxx x x xx xx Singing Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens LC x x xxxxx x xxxxx Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta LCxx xxxxxxx Yellow‐throated Miner Manorina flavigula LCxx x xxxxx

Pomatostomidae (Australian Babblers) Grey‐crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis LC x

Campephagidae (Cuckoo‐shrikes) Black‐faced Cuckoo‐shrike Coracina novaehollandiae LCx x xxx x x xxxxx White‐winged Triller Lalage sueurii LCx x x xxx x

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ACDFGHBIENJKL M OP Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN

Pachycephalidae (Whistlers) Grey Shrike‐thrush Colluricincla harmonica LC x x Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis LC x White‐breasted Whistler Pachycephala lanioides LC x x x x x x x Mangrove Golden Whistler Pachycephala melanura LC x xx Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris LC x x x

Artamidae (Woodswallows) Black‐faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus LCx x x xxx xxxxx White‐breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus LCxxxxx xxxx Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus LC x x White‐browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus LC x Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis LCx x x xxx

Dicruridae (Flycatchers) Magpie‐Lark Grallina cyanoleuca LCx x xxx x x xxxxx Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa LC x Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys LC x x xxxxxx x xx Mangrove Grey Fantail Rhipidura phasiana LC x xx

Corvidae (Ravens and Crows) Little Crow Corvus bennetti LC x xx Torresian Crow Corvus orru LCxx xxxxxxx Western Crow Corvus orru cecilae LC x

Petroicidae (Australian Robins) Mangrove Robin Eopsaltria pulverulenta LC x x x x

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ACDFGHBIENJKL M OP Q EPBC WC DEC IUCN Alauidae (Songlarks) Singing Bushlark Mirafra javanica LCxxxxxxxx

Acrocephalidae Australian Reed‐warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus LC x

Megaluridae Brown Songlark Cincloramphus cruralis LC x xxx Rufous Songlark Cincloramphus mathewsi LC x xx x Spinifex Bird Eremiornis carteri LC x x x x

Timaliidae (White‐eyes) Yellow White‐eye Zosterops luteus LC x x x x x x x

Hirundinidae (Swallows) White‐backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosterna LC xx Fairy Martin Hirundo ariel LCxxxxxxxx Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena LC x x x Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Mi S3 LC x x x Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans LCxxx xxx xx

Estrildidae Painted Finch Emblema pictum LC x x x Star Finch (Western) Neochmia ruficauda subclarescens P4 NT x x x Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata LCx x xxxxx x xxxxx

Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow *Passer montanus LC x

Motacillidae (Pipits and True Wagtails) Australasian Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae LCx x xxxxx x xxxx Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis x

(x) denotes recorded during the survey

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

Appendix B4: Recorded Vertebrate Fauna ‐ Mammals

Key: EPBC = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, WC = Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, DEC = Department of Conservation Priority Code, IUCN= International Union for Conservation of Nature Code, A = Listed Naturemap (DEC 2011a), B= EPBC protected matters search tool (DSEWPaC 2011b) C = Listed by Birds Australia (Birdata 2011), D= DEC Protected Matters Search (DSEWPaC 2011c), E= Bird Survey of Nelson Point Wetlands in April 2011 (Bennelongia 2001, F= Mooka Siding Level 1 Targeted Fauna (Biologic 2010), G= Port Hedland Nelson Point Dredging Approvals Flora and Fauna Review of DMMA H (Biota 2009), H= Flora and Fauna Assessment of DMMA A (Biota 2008b) RGP5 Bing to Walla Siding and Repeater 1 Fauna Assessment (ecologia 2008a), J= RGP5 Quarry 1 Fauna Survey (ecologia 2008b), K= Goldsworthy Rail Duplication fauna Assessment (ENV 2008), L= RGP5 Northern Quoll Wider Survey Area (ecologia 2009), M= Outer Harbour Development Fauna Assessment (ENV 2009), N= Port Hedland Solar Saltfield Expansion Fauna Survey (Biota 2006), O= Fauna Habitats and Fauna Assemblage of the Proposed FMG Stage A Rail Corridor

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ABCDME F G HI JKL N O PQ EPBC WC DEC IUCN Tachyglossidae (Echidnas) Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus LC x

Dasyuridae (Carnivorous Marsupials) Kultarr Antechinomys laniger LC x Brush‐tailed Mulgara Dasycercus blythi P4 LC x x Crest‐tailed Mulgara Dasycercus cristicauda VU S1 LC x x x Northern Quoll Dasyurus hallucatus EN S1 EN x x x x x x Little Red Kaluta Dasykaluta rosamondae LCx x xxxx Pilbara Ningaui Ningaui timealeyi LC x Long‐tailed Planigale Planigale ingrami LC x Stripe‐faced Dunnart Sminthopsis macroura LC x Lesser Hairy‐footed Dunnart Sminthopsis youngsoni LC x xxx

Peramelidae (Bilbys) Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis VU S1 VU x x

Macropodidae (Kangaroos) Euro Macropus robustus LC x x x x x x x Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus LC x x

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ABCDME GF HI JKL NO PQ EPBC WC DEC IUCN Pteropodidae (Flying Fox) Little Red Flying Fox Pteropus scapulatus LC x

Emballonuridae (Sheathtail‐bats) Yellow‐bellied Sheathtail‐bat Saccolaimus flaviventris LC x x x Common Sheathtail‐bat Taphozous georgianus LC x x x

Megasermatidae (False Vampire Bats) Ghost Bat Macroderma gigas P4 VU x

Hipposideridae (Leafnosed‐bats) Pilbara Leaf‐nosed Bat Rhinonicteris aurantia VU S1 LC x x

Vespertilionidae (Ordinary Bats) Gould’s Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii LC x x x Arnhem Long‐eared Bat Nyctophilus arnhemensis LC x x Lesser Long‐eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi LC x x Little Broad‐nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii LC x x x Finlayson’s Cave Bat Vespadelus finlaysoni LC x x x x x

Molossidae (Freetail‐bats) Northern Freetail‐bat Chaerephon jobensis LC x x Beccari’s Freetail‐bat Mormopterus beccarii LC x Little Northern Freetail‐bat Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis P1 x x x x

Muridae (Rodents) House Mouse *Mus musculus x xxxx Spinifex‐hopping Mouse Notomys alexis LC x xx Western Pebble‐mouse Pseudomys chapmani P4 LC x x Delicate Mouse Pseudomys delicatulus xx Desert Mouse Pseudomys desertor x Sandy Inland Mouse Pseudomys hermannsburgensis LC x xxx Western Chestnut Mouse Pseudomys nanus LC x x Common Rock‐rat Zyzomys argurus LC x x

J100490 ‐ Appendix B ASSESSMENT APPENDIX B FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Codes ABCDME GF HI JKL NO PQ EPBC WC DEC IUCN Leporidae European Rabbit *Oryctolagus cuniculus LC x

Canidae Dingo Canis lupus dingo LC x x x x Wild Dog *Canis lupus familiaris LC x x x x x x Fox *Vulpes vulpes LCxx x x xx

Felidae (Cats) Feral Cat *Felis catus LCxx xx x x xx

Equidae (Horses) Horse *Equus caballus LC xx

Camelidae Camel *Camelus dromedarius LC x

Suidae Pig *Sus scrofa LC x

Bovidae European Cattle *Bos taurus LC xxxxx x Sheep *Ovis aries LC x

(x) denotes recorded during the survey (*) denotes introduced species. (#) denotes species name that is no longer current.

J100490 ‐ Appendix B BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

APPENDIX C FAUNA HABITAT DATA SHEETS

J100490‐001‐Fauna‐JT‐Final BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

PORT HEDLAND REGIONAL FAUNA ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX C

FAUNA HABITAT DATA SHEETS

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA1

Easting 654509 Northing 7730086 Date 12/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 312-313

Broad Habitat Riverine % of area -

Landscape Position N-S

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 20 Shrubs <2m 20

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 10

Soil type & colour Cream riversand

Rock type N/A

Rock size N/A

Rocky outcrops Nil

Leaf litter (% cover) 5

Twig litter (% cover) - Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) - Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) - Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) - Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

300 x 100 m stretch of fresh water.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

4WD tracks, bridge and rubbish

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Important area for waterbirds particularly Egrets and Herons.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA2

Easting 657741 Northing 7748938 Date 13/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 321-324

Broad Habitat Mangroves % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 80 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Brown mud

Rock type 0

Rock size 0

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Tidal sea water.

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Potential roost site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

4WD tracks and abandoned car.

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Potential foraging and roosting site for Migratory waders and shorebirds. Important site for

Mangrove specialists.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA3

Easting 659647 Northing 7753882 Date 13/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 330-331

Broad Habitat Beach/Dunal % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 40

Soil type & colour White sand

Rock type Sandstone

Rock size Large sections of reef at low ride

Rocky outcrops -

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Ocean.

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Potential roost site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Boat ramp, 4WD, fishing and rubbish

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Foraging site for waders such as Plovers and Oystercatchers.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA4

Easting 660568 Northing 7733782 Date 14/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 332-333

Broad Habitat Mangroves % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 90 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Brown mud

Rock type -

Rock size -

Rocky outcrops -

Leaf litter (% cover) -

Twig litter (% cover) - Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) - Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) Few Average size 10 cm

Dead stags (abundance) - Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Tidal sea water.

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Good roost site for mangrove bat species as plenty of tree hollows in mature mangrove trees.

Potential roost site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

4WD and rubbish

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Important for bats and birds that specialize in this habitat.

Potential foraging and roosting site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA5

Easting 658086 Northing 7725599 Date 14/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 335-336

Broad Habitat Riverine % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 10

Trees <10m 30 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 10 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses - Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 10

Soil type & colour Cream riverstone

Rock type

Rock size

Rocky outcrops

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 5 Average size Small

Fallen logs (abundance) Low Average size Small

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

500m stretch of water.

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Zebra finch nests in trees.

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

4WD tracks and cattle.

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Important water source for all fauna particularly water fowl.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA6

Easting 657567 Northing 7748702 Date 16/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 345-346

Broad Habitat Tidal Flats % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 1%

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Mud

Rock type -

Rock size -

Rocky outcrops -

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Tidal sea water.

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Potential roost site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

4WD tracks.

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Potential foraging and roosting site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA7

Easting 654693 Northing 7747642 Date 16/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 349-350

Broad Habitat Tidal Flats % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 10%

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 25%

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Mud

Rock type 0

Rock size 0

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Tidal sea water

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Potential roost site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

4WD tracks.

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Potential foraging and roosting site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA8

Easting 676827 Northing 7728551 Date 18/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 401-402

Broad Habitat Riverine % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 10

Trees <10m 10 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 5 Shrubs <2m 10

Hummock grasses 20 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Red river sand

Rock type 0

Rock size 0

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 5-10 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) Low Average size Small

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) Medium Average size Medium

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Riverbed during peak flow periods after significant rain events.

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Provides wide range of fauna habitats.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA9

Easting 673743 Northing 7739163 Date 18/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 404-405

Broad Habitat Sand plain % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 1% Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 40%

Hummock grasses 40% Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Red sand

Rock type 0

Rock size 0

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) +

Twig litter (% cover) + Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

4WD tracks

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA10

Easting 670229 Northing 7727597 Date 18/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 406-407

Broad Habitat Sand plain % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 2% Mallee 0 Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 10%

Hummock grasses 40% Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Red sand

Rock type 0

Rock size 0

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 1 Average size small

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Fire and 4WD tracks

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA11

Easting 673945 Northing 7751791 Date 19/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 412-413

Broad Habitat Tidal Flats % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Mud - brown

Rock type Limestone

Rock size Flat large areas

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Tidal sea water

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Potential roost site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Humans / boats

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Foraging and roosting site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA12

Easting 674003 Northing 7751411 Date 19/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 418-419

Broad Habitat Mangroves % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 40% Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Brown mud

Rock type 0

Rock size 0

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Tidal sea water

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Potential roost site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Human traffic and rubbish

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Potential foraging and roosting site for Migratory waders and shorebirds. Important site for

Mangrove specialists.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA13

Easting 669978 Northing 7754453 Date 19/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 420-421

Broad Habitat Beach/Dunal % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour White sand

Rock type Limestone

Rock size Tidal reef platforms

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Tidal sea water

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Potential roost site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Rubbish

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Potential foraging and roosting site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Pilbara

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA14

Easting 661632 Northing 7754586 Date 18/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 408-409

Broad Habitat Beach/Dunal % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Sand

Rock type Limestone

Rock size Tidal reef platform

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Ocean / tidal

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Potential roost site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Fishing, rubbish

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Potential foraging and roosting site for Migratory waders and shorebirds.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA15

Easting 660851 Northing 7731542 Date 16/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 426-427

Broad Habitat Sand plain % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 20

Hummock grasses 70 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour Red sand

Rock type 0

Rock size 0

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 5

Twig litter (% cover) 5 Average size small

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

4WD and rubbish (corrugated iron)

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer Site # HA16

Easting1 659956 Northing1 7724408

Easting2 663683 Northing2 7723955

Easting3 676066 Northing3 7722938

Date 15/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time -

Photo # 340-341; 343-344

Broad Habitat Low Hill % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 20

Soil type & colour Red

Rock type Ironstone

Rock size Small

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 1 Average size Small

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Tracks

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Suitable for Pebble-Mound Mouse. No pebblemounds found.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer Site # HA17

Easting 668762 Northing 7731587 Date 16/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 369-370

Broad Habitat Rock pile - Granite % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour -

Rock type Granite

Rock size Large boulders

Rocky outcrops 100%

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Crevices but no caves

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Good habitat for rock dwelling species.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer Site # HA18

Easting 669174 Northing 7731594 Date 16/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 367-368

Broad Habitat Coolarin pool % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 30% Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 5% Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 10% Herbs 10%

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour -

Rock type Granite

Rock size Slabs

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) Few Average size Small

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) Few Average size Small

Dead stags (abundance) nil Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Billabong.

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Significant foraging and roost site for waterbirds and birds of prey

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Terrestrial Fauna Habitat Assessment Proforma

Project Name Port Hedland Fauna Observer JT Site # HA19

Easting 672680 Northing 7721814 Date 17/07/2011

Site Dimensions - Search time - Photo # 371-372

Broad Habitat Quartz Hill % of area -

Landscape Position -

Broad Floristic Formation

Vegetation (% cover)

Trees >30m 0 Trees 10-30m 0

Trees <10m 0 Mallee 0

Shrubs >2m 0 Shrubs <2m 0

Hummock grasses 0 Herbs 0

Tussock grasses 0

Soil type & colour 0

Rock type Quartz

Rock size Large

Rocky outcrops 0

Leaf litter (% cover) 0

Twig litter (% cover) 0 Average size -

Fallen logs (abundance) 0 Average size -

Hollow-bearing trees (abundance) 0 Average size -

Dead stags (abundance) 0 Average dimension -

Water bodies (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Caves (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Nests or Roosts (present/absent) Describe

Absent

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Disturbances (present/absent) Describe

Absent

Ecological processes important to habitat (present/absent) Describe

Good habitat for rock dwelling species.

J100490 ‐ Appendix C Fauna Habitat Assessment Data Sheets BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

APPENDIX D ANABAT, MOTION SENSITIVE CAMERA AND MULGARA TRANSECT LOCATIONS

J100490‐001‐Fauna‐JT‐Final BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

APPENDIX D

ANABAT, MOTION SENSITIVE CAMERA AND MULGARA TRANSECT LOCATIONS

D1: AnaBat Locations for Port Hedland Regional Survey

Date Code Easting Northing Habitat Species of Bat Recorded

13/07/2011 AnaBat 1 660510 7753840 Mangroves Chalinolobus gouldii

15/7/2011 AnaBat 2 657761 7748938 Mangroves Chalinolobus gouldii

Chalinolobus gouldii, Saccolaimus flaviventris, Scotorepens greyii 16/7/2011 AnaBat 3 669174 7731594 Coolarin Pool

Chalinolobus gouldii, Scotorepens greyii, Taphozous georgianus, 17/7/2011 AnaBat 4 672023 7729062 Quarry Vespadelus finlaysoni

19/7/2011 AnaBat 5 654504 7730005 Turner River Chalinolobus gouldii, Scotorepens greyii

#Australian Geocentric 1994 (GDA94) Zone 50K

J100490 ‐ Appendix D Anabat, Camera and Mulgara Transect locations BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

D2‐ Location of Motion Sensitive Camera

Date Code Easting Northing Habitat

13/07/2011 until 14/07/2011 and 17/07/2011 MOT 1 654716 7729993 Riverine

15/7/2011 MOT 2 668761 7731587 Rockpile 16/7/2011 MOT 3 672023 7729062 Quarry

#Australian Geocentric 1994 (GDA94) Zone 50K

D3‐ Location of Mulgara Transect Start Points

Code Easting Northing Length of Transect

1a 655360 7736888 1423.6 m 2a 658707 7724593 2663.2 m 3a 664954 7721725 2316 m 4a 673179 7722559 2644.7 m 5a 665098 7736949 1219 m 6a 665497 7732240 2310.8 m 7a 670105 7739483 1482.8 m 8a 675810 7722738 1735.2 m 9a 675797 7737510 1180.6 m 10a 661483 7747701 800.3 m 11a 659124 7747711 1030.2 m

#Australian Geocentric 1994 (GDA94) Zone 50K

J100490 ‐ Appendix D Anabat, Camera and Mulgara Transect locations BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

APPENDIX E LOCATIONS OF RECORDED

CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA

J100490‐001‐Fauna‐JT‐Final BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

APPENDIX E

LOCATION OF RECORDED CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

Current Aspidites ramsayi Woma WC‐ S4 Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 662938 7732087 2011)

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

Quantum Outer Harbor Aspidites ramsayi Woma WC‐ S4 5‐ 16 May 2008 664207 7734443 Development (ENV 2008)

EPBC‐ Current Cattle Mi and Ardea ibis Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 662586 7753059 Egret WC ‐ 2011) S3

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

EPBC‐ Eastern Current Mi and Ardea modesta Great Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 654495 7730008 WC ‐ Egret 2011) S3

EPBC‐ Eastern Current Mi and Egretta sacra Reef Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 662586 7753059 WC ‐ Egret 2011) S3

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

EPBC‐ White‐ Current Mi and Haliaeetus leucogaster bellied Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 657741 7748937 WC ‐ Sea‐eagle 2011) S3

EPBC‐ White‐ Current Mi and Haliaeetus leucogaster bellied Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 662586 7753059 WC ‐ Sea‐eagle 2011) S3

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

EPBC‐ Current Eastern Mi and Pandion haliaetus Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 667098 7753456 Osprey WC ‐ 2011) S3

DEC‐ Current Australian Ardeotis australis Priority Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 659315 7724501 Bustard 4 2011)

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name Mooka Siding, Level DEC‐ Australian 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Ardeotis australis Priority 673845 7722643 None Available Bustard Fauna Survey November 2010 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level DEC‐ Australian 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Ardeotis australis Priority 673912 7721866 None Available Bustard Fauna Survey November 2010 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level DEC‐ Australian 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Ardeotis australis Priority 674135 7720714 None Available Bustard Fauna Survey November 2010 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level DEC‐ Australian 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Ardeotis australis Priority 674138 7720711 None Available Bustard Fauna Survey November 2010 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level DEC‐ Australian 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Ardeotis australis Priority 672354 7730924 None Available Bustard Fauna Survey November 2010 4 (Biologic 2010)

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name Mooka Siding, Level DEC‐ Australian 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Ardeotis australis Priority 672050 7730678 None Available Bustard Fauna Survey November 2010 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level DEC‐ Australian 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Ardeotis australis Priority 673875 7721521 None Available Bustard Fauna Survey November 2010 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level DEC‐ Australian 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Ardeotis australis Priority 674111 7720968 None Available Bustard Fauna Survey November 2010 4 (Biologic 2010)

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

Bush DEC‐ Current Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 676316 7734399 Curlew 4 2011)

Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 673512 7720235 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 673332 7721486 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Bush DEC‐ Siding, Level 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 1/ Targeted 673385 7720306 None Available November 2010 Curlew 4 Fauna Survey (Biologic

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name 2010)

Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 673701 7720102 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 673868 7721794 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 673881 7720280 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 673909 7721989 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010)

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 674087 7721839 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 673826 7720867 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 673373 7728384 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level Bush DEC‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Burhinus grallarius Stone‐ Priority 672899 7729139 None Available Fauna Survey November 2010 Curlew 4 (Biologic 2010)

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

EPBC‐ Current Grey Mi and Pluvialis squatarola Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 673945 7751791 Plover WC ‐ 2011) S3

Mooka EPBC‐ Siding, Level Oriental Mi and 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Charadrius veredus 673801 7726792 None Available Plover WC ‐ Fauna Survey November 2010 S3 (Biologic 2010)

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

EPBC‐ Current Ruddy Mi and Arenaria interpres Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 673945 7751791 Turnstone WC ‐ 2011) S3

EPBC‐ Red‐ Current Mi and Calidris ruficollis necked Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 673945 7751791 WC ‐ Stint 2011) S3

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

EPBC‐ Current Bar‐tailed Mi and Limosa lapponica Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 673945 7751791 Godwit WC ‐ 2011) S3

EPBC‐ Grey‐ Current Mi and Tringa brevipes tailed Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 662586 7753059 WC ‐ Tattler 2011) S3

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

EPBC‐ Current Mi and Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 673945 7751791 WC ‐ 2011) S3

EPBC‐ Current Caspian Mi and Sterna caspia Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 654495 7730008 Tern WC ‐ 2011) S3

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

EPBC‐ Current Rainbow Mi and Merops ornatus Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 658075 7743873 Bee‐eater WC ‐ 2011) S3

EPBC‐ Current Rainbow Mi and Merops ornatus Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 655230 7738721 Bee‐eater WC ‐ 2011) S3

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name

EPBC‐ Current Rainbow Mi and Merops ornatus Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 657879 7725666 Bee‐eater WC ‐ 2011) S3

EPBC‐ Current Rainbow Mi and Merops ornatus Survey (ENV 11‐20 July 2011 666100 7732371 Bee‐eater WC ‐ 2011) S3

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name Mooka EPBC‐ Siding, Level Rainbow Mi and 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Merops ornatus 673188 7720323 None Available Bee‐eater WC ‐ Fauna Survey November 2010 S3 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level EPBC‐ Northern 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Dasyurus hallucatus EN, 672094 7729131 None Available Quoll Fauna Survey November 2010 WC‐ S1 (Biologic 2010) Mooka Siding, Level EPBC‐ Northern 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Dasyurus hallucatus EN, 673512 7720235 None Available Quoll Fauna Survey November 2010 WC‐ S1 (Biologic 2010) Little Quantum DEC‐ 12 October – 9 Western Outer Harbor Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis Priority November 2007 and 662594 7753080 None Available Freetailed Development 1 5‐ 16 May 2008 Bat (ENV 2008) Little Quantum DEC‐ 12 October – 9 Western Outer Harbor Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis Priority November 2007 and 671008 7717595 None Available Freetailed Development 1 5‐ 16 May 2008 Bat (ENV 2008) Mooka Western DEC‐ Siding, Level Pebble‐ 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Pseudomys chapmani Priority 1/ Targeted 674986 7720499 None Available mound November 2010 4 Fauna Survey Mouse (Biologic

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna BHPBIO – Port Hedland Regional Fauna Assessment

Common Species Name Listing Survey Date #Eastings #Northings Species/Habitat Photos Name 2010)

Mooka Western Siding, Level DEC‐ Pebble‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Pseudomys chapmani Priority 675021 7720469 None Available mound Fauna Survey November 2010 4 Mouse (Biologic 2010) Mooka Western Siding, Level DEC‐ Pebble‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Pseudomys chapmani Priority 674903 7720600 None Available mound Fauna Survey November 2010 4 Mouse (Biologic 2010) Mooka Western Siding, Level DEC‐ Pebble‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Pseudomys chapmani Priority 674912 7720576 None Available mound Fauna Survey November 2010 4 Mouse (Biologic 2010) Mooka Western Siding, Level DEC‐ Pebble‐ 1/ Targeted 20 – 26 July and 1 ‐ 5 Pseudomys chapmani Priority 673044 7722426 None Available mound Fauna Survey November 2010 4 Mouse (Biologic 2010)

#Australian Geocentric 1994 (GDA94) Zone 50K

J100490 ‐ Appendix E Locations of Con Sig Fauna